IT SEEMS that the article regarding the opening of the new Freestyle Skatestore in Cwmbran (August 9) has been misunderstood as a story about us shutting in Newport.

This is simply not the case. We are opening a shop in Cwmbran while remaining open in Newport. I enjoy working in Newport and my customers are awesome and so that alone is enough to keep me here. The point I was bringing across was that the council needs to fill the shops or I will be the last shop left. I am aware that measures are being made and I wish the council all the luck in the world. Something needs to be done now.

Thanks for reading this and if you could all spread the word I would really appreciate it.

Darran Ward, Freestyle Skatestore Newport