THREE years have passed since one of Newport’s biggest regeneration projects came to fruition.

The multi-million-pound Friars Walk development was brought to life on Thursday, November 12, 2015 – and has since attracted some of the country’s biggest brands.

By the end of this year, the site will have attracted more than 30 million visitors.

It is without question that Friars Walk revolutionised Newport city centre.

But where did it all start three years ago?

Despite the original plan being scrapped in 2009, the then Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition did get the ball rolling, after getting developing company Queensberry on board.

Under the next administration, led by Labour’s Bob Bright, a decision was made to borrow £90 million of public money to provide the finance for the development.

And in the first year alone, an estimated 10.5 million people shopped at the site, resulting in millions being pumped into the local economy.

H&M, Next, Debenhams, Top Shop, New Look, Marks and Spencer’s, Cineworld and TGI Fridays all flocked to have a presence.

However, some critics have pointed out that the project has not fixed all of the city centre’s problems.

The rise in online shopping – where items can often be found more cheaply – has hit city centres up and down the country with never-before-seen pressures.

Some big companies, including Gourmet Burger and Frankie & Benny’s have also pulled out.

But the leader of Newport City Council believes that following the sale by Queensberry to Canadian investment company Talisker Corporation in June 2017, Friars Walk has become a catalyst to attract investors to the city.

Cllr Wilcox said: “Like many town and city centres, we have seen the impact of the changes in people’s shopping habits and the loss of some of the major chain stores which have left big gaps in the high street.

“However, the proposals for Chartist Tower and the Mill Street site show that developers have confidence in Newport and promise a much brighter future for our city centre.”

Friars Walk centre director, Simon Pullen, added: “At Friars Walk we offer a great combination of leisure options with a wide range of restaurants, a cinema and a bowling alley that sit alongside a wide range of shops with some of the biggest names in retail. We feel that our offering really complements what is on offer in Newport and it continues to evolve and grow.

When Friars Walk first opened, we were keen to appeal to a wide range of people with various wants and needs and we feel we’ve very much got that balance right.

“Everyone at Friars Walk is proud of what has been achieved in the last three years, in terms of playing our part in creating jobs in the city and contributing to the prosperity in Newport and we are looking forward to that continuing.”

The former Conservative council leader Cllr Matthew Evans believes the Friars Walk project saved the city.

“I think had Friars Walk not have happened the city centre would have died,” he said.

“We threw our support behind it when I was council leader.

“I knew then that it was not going to solve all the problems, but it certainly helped.

“What now needs to happen is for more businesses to start operating in the city centre.”

And many shoppers hold the same view.

Pill resident Mohammad Darman said: “I come to Friars Walk a few times a week.

“It has done a lot of good for Newport because lots of firms have come here.

“Having these big firms here will bring more people in. But we need more.”

And Tommy Parry of Wallis Street, Pill, added: “I love Friars Walk.

“I come here a lot. It is the best place in Newport to go to.”