New wine bar and coffee shop plans for Newport city centre

Plans to open the new business have been submitted to Newport City Council, which would see another new establishment setting up shop in the city.

If approved, 26 Bridge Street would be radically transformed from its current use - as the offices for a letting agents firm.

The most recent tenants, Luscombe and Co, have occupied the space for at least seven years, but, in recent days, have closed their city centre office down as part of relocation plans to a new branch elsewhere in Newport.

In its place, plans for Coffee Bar @ 26 were submitted to the council last week (Wednesday, November 10).

An artist impression of how the new business could look

They show that the ground floor unit would see a significant refit carried out, as part of plans to transform the office space into “a coffee shop/licensed Wine Bar”.

Externally, a whole new shopfront, and associated signage would be installed, along with downward facing lighting, in a bid to illuminate the signage.

If approved, the property will look vastly different to its current form.

Instead of its current red and white coloured façade – courtesy of the most recent tenant, it would be painted a more understated grey, something which the applicant describes as “fresh to reflect contemporary coffee and wine bar culture”.

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What else can be expected?

The plans have been submitted by Bassaleg firm Skerryvore Designs on behalf of the applicant, New Forge Properties.

According to the plans, the wine bar would employ three full-time, and six part-time employees, with opening hours of 7am to 9.30pm Monday through to Saturday, and 9am to 9.30pm on Sundays and holidays.

The applicant describes the proposed business as “a place where customers can grab a coffee, snack or just relax on their own reading the paper, or partake of a glass of quality wine.

“It’s a venue you can feel comfortable in meeting friends, or working on the computer. The layout achieves this without detriment to the building and access all areas including WC facilities.

“The simple name and down lighting to the signage adds to the appearance of quality.”

At this time, the planning application can be viewed and commented upon on Newport City Council’s planning hub here.