A NEWPORT electricals company which has been in the family for three generations has moved to a new store after being in Pill for 83 years.

AF Thomas Electricals launched their new two-floor store on Saturday, May 2 with a visit from Mayor Matthew Evans who said: "It is great to see a company reinvesting in the city."

Andrew Thomas, who has taken the helm of the business from his parents and grandparents, moved the new store to Mendalgief Retail Park in Maesglas from Commercial Road in Pill.

Rosemary Thomas, Andrew's mother, said it was a "very exciting day" and Andrew's late father would have been proud.

Steve Williams, manager of the new store, said: "Things are very good at this moment in time.

"We are taking quite a few new staff on and our customer demographic is going to change. We think we may get lots of younger clientele and now we have a bigger store we can stock much more in the range of televisions".

In a speech to Andrew Thomas and visitors to the store launch, Mayor of Newport, Cllr Matthew Evans, said: "It is great to see you continuing to support Newport and I hope that your new store will be a real success."

Cllr Evans also thanked Mr Thomas for making a "generous donation" to the Mayor's two chosen charities - the Teenage Cancer Trust and Newport's Sea Cadets.