Here's the latest Argus column by Newport City Council leader Cllr Jane Mudd:

OVER recent weeks, our staff have been working tirelessly to deal with essential services for our residents.

Once again, I would like to thank them and all those workers who are helping us get through these difficult times.

I would also like to thank all of our Newport residents for their support and co-operation during this challenging period.

However, I want to assure you that we are also very aware that we will have to get back to some sort of normality, whatever that looks like, when the lockdown is lifted and restrictions are potentially eased.

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One of the council’s long-standing objectives has been Newport’s regeneration, particularly that of the city centre.

Exciting new images, showing the vision for a revitalised Newport Market, will be released in the coming week. I would urge you to check them out at www.loftco.net

This is an amazing project that we believe will not only mean a brighter future for our historic market but also enhance some of our amazing businesses in the High Street area while complementing the wider city centre.

Completed schemes include the transformation of the once derelict King’s Hotel into apartments and offices and the fantastic new apartments for over-55s in Commercial Street created by Pobl Group.

A number are almost there including the refurbishment of Newport’s tallest building Chartist Tower into a four-star hotel and offices – soon to be the new home of the South Wales Argus.

But we know there is still much that can be done and we continue to work in partnership with both private developers and third sector organisations to make it happen.

Once this is over, we will have to work together to rebuild lives, communities and the local economy.

Businesses have been particularly hard hit by the lockdown and will need continued support.

For example, many of us will have relied on our local shops in recent weeks and we need to remember that when this is over and go on using them.

Newport City Council has already distributed £23 million of Welsh Government funded grant support to Newport businesses in response to the pandemic.

This is another reason why the Newport Market scheme and others like them are so important.

Not only will this project create new jobs and businesses, it will create a better environment making the market a much more attractive place to work and visit.

This can only benefit the existing and new businesses that choose to take this opportunity and make the most of it.