Newport city centre is going to benefit from the opening of a new sports bar in the Kingsway shopping centre.

Local businessman Lee Snook and his family have refurbished a former retail unit located in the Kingsway near the Dolman Theatre with seven pool tables and a dedicated competition room, a separate darts room, and HD televisions throughout the bar including a main 82-inch screen to show live sport.

Isabella’s Sports Club will also have a bar and dining area serving hot and cold dishes.

A keen pool player himself, Lee was previously a building services engineering consultant and a sales manager for an air conditioning company.

He said: “I’ve been playing pool since I was 14 and have spent many hours in a variety of pool halls across the UK and abroad. I’ve had the idea to open a sports bar of my own for quite a while and after careful planning and the assistance of my mother, who has managed bars for most of her life, I am now able to realise my dream.

“We are going to be a family friendly venue. I want men and women of all ages to visit with friends and family, to feel safe and enjoy playing games on high quality and well-maintained equipment.”

Newport-based M4 Property Consultants represented the landlord.

Dan Smith, director of the property firm, said: “It is particularly pleasing to welcome Lee and his business to the Kingsway.

"It offers something different to the existing leisure and hospitality outlets. The property was previously an office but had been vacant for a long time and this repurposing is key to landlords attracting tenants but also the city centre regenerating itself and attracting more people back to it.

"Newport city centre is experiencing considerable activity at present. The soon-to-be reopened Newport Market, proposed new leisure centre and housing schemes, and the announcement of grants by Newport City Council are all contributing to regenerating the city centre.

"We have recently completed a couple of other successful deals introducing businesses to the city centre with a few more completing before the end of the month. These are positive steps for Newport city centre, and we need to continue to deliver more.”