Newport's beautiful Victorian arcade is a key feature of the city centre and is flourishing with an abundance of local businesses. Reporter LEAH POWELL spoke with some traders

NEWPORT Arcade, which is accessible from High Street and Cambrian Road, dates from the Victorian era and is an iconic feature of the city centre.

Just a short walk from the bus station and the train station, this hidden gem offers shoppers a unique experience, sheltered from the rain, with something different on offer in each venue.

Although footfall has varied over the years, the arcade is flourishing at the moment, with only one out of 12 units empty. There is a delicious array of business on offer.

This is the place to go for haircuts and tattoos, jewellery repairs and baby clothes, skateboarding equipment and candles, and – most recently – a Wildings-inspired store, called Heart of the Home, which sells homeware and goods.

Owner Lesley Skiffington, is excited to be part of this thriving community.

She said: “I’m from Newport, and worked for Wildings for 16 years before it was announced they were closing.

“I’ve always wanted to start my own business, and this pushed me to it. I saw the empty unit in Newport Arcade and it was perfect.

“I’m excited, but also worried, but there seems to be a lot of footfall with the shops keeping the arcade alive. Hopefully we’ll do well here.”

READ MORE: Former Wildings employee opens her own shop

Other traders shared her enthusiasm about the arcade becoming a beacon for independent traders and business.

Underhive Games, located near the High Street entrance of the arcade, offers board games, table top games, kids games, and hosts events.

Andy Beese, of Underhive Games, said: “We’ve been here for about two months and all these traders being here is absolutely brilliant.

“I’ve been doing this for three years at another site, but this venture was needed. Newport Arcade is beautiful, and this unit had been empty for far too long.”

Underhive Games engages well with the community, hosting children’s morning at 10am on Saturdays, giving children the chance to socialise, play and learn.

READ MORE: New gaming hub set to create a buzz in the city

Another recent edition to the arcade is Tibetan Dawn, which offers an enormous range of Fair Trade goods, to warm the heart of any hippy. The shop offers home décor, incense, therapies, goods made by the people of Tibet, and more.

Meryl Tsering runs this business and is thrilled about the life being pumped throughout Newport Arcade.

Ms Tsering said: “I think it’s an amazing shopping experience to have such an eclectic array of independent traders.

“It’s something different, something less generic. People can come and shop, under cover, in a beautifully historic building.

“Customers have given such positive compliments, often saying it’s a warm and friendly atmosphere in here. There’s a mix of regulars and new customers.

“So far this year there seems to have been more customers and there’s great support between the independent traders; it’s like a community. It’s a hidden treasure.”

READ MORE: People flock to celebrate local traders in Newport Arcade

Although Ms Tsering is positive about Newport Arcade, she said: “People need to come to us from High Street. Although we’re a stone’s throw from the bus station I wish the council could link us so we’re easier to find.”

Other busineeses include Clive Mortimer Goldsmiths, Freestyle Skate Store, Hetty’s Baby Boutique, The Jewellery Repair Workshop, Elegance and Decadence, Chocci Cake Company, The Pot Café, Nuthouse Hair Designs, and Black Cherry Tattoo Studio.

The arcade is near Market Arcade and Newport Indoor Market, which are also beacons of local, independent traders with something unique to offer.

Many of the traders in Newport Arcade give some credit to social media and the internet for helping them to promote their business, letting residents of Newport – and beyond – know what there is to offer in this historical landmark.

Charlotte Jones, owner of Hetty’s Baby Boutique, which opened in the arcade last July, started her business online, but opened her shop when she noticed a lack of local trade.

“Since we’ve opened the shop, I’ve noticed an increase in trade; some day’s we even do better in store than we do on the web,” said Ms Jones.

“There’s a mixture of business and local traders here, and recently our weekly footfall has increased, but it’s about encouraging people to come to this end of town.

“We have some regulars in the shop now, and have had customers travel from Barry, and even Swindon, to come to the shop.

“I think people like to physically see a product before buying it sometimes, especially with baby clothes.

“It’s about getting the word out, and letting people know there’s all these shops here, offering something different.

“We’ve had great support so far, and Newport Arcade is definitely worth the trip.”

Newport Arcade, which is an undercover home to Newport’s independent retailers, is a rare treasure in the city centre. At a time when many complain about empty units throughout the city centre, this is a shining beacon of hope.

READ MORE: NOW AND THEN: Newport Arcade

Keep up to date with what’s on offer by following Newport Arcade on Facebook: @NewportVictorianArcade