JOANNA Lloyd has made the big jump from turning a family hobby into a business by opening an antiques and collectibles shop in Newport's Market Arcade.

The shop features an eclectic mix of furniture, china, silverware, books and fabrics.

It's a perfect environment to put any tips picked up on Bargain Hunt or Antiques Roadshow into action.

Ms Lloyd said: "The current style is to mix and match antiques with modern items.

"So for example, over there you can see a Victorian mahogany dressing table with a Spode wash jug and bowl.

"The Spode is modern but it's collectable, and together they look great."

Ms Lloyd believes that we have to get away from ideas that antiques are just for old people living in old houses.

"They maintain their value and look good in modern, cottage and old-house settings."

The shop recently had its official opening party, which attracted around 35 people.

"It was a very successful event.

"I took down details of what everyone likes and wants and sold a lot of my existing stock on the day."

If you had to choose a Newport shop in which to collapse, Joanna's Antiques should be top of your list.

Ms Lloyd is a trained cardiac nurse who began her medical career in Cape Town, South Africa.

"My parents emigrated there when I was a child, although I remained in Newport with my grandparents to complete my education at Lliswerry High School."

Five years ago the family returned from South Africa to Newport and now live near the Handpost.

It's a little larger than it was, as Ms Lloyd is the proud mum of triplets, who are now seven years old.

She's obviously leading a busy life with the children, occasional shifts at The Heath's cardiac unit and a new business to get off the ground.

"My parents have been very supportive, they're also very interested in antiques and I've been drawing on their knowledge. It's exciting because I feel as though I'm learning all the time."

The premises in Market Arcade came about after a playground conversation with another mum.

"I expressed an interest in starting an antiques shop and the lady I was speaking to said 'my husband has just bought some units in Market Arcade, why don't you take one of them?'"

Joanna's Attic was formerly Phillips' Outfitters, a Newport business of over 25 years' standing.

Market Arcade was once a bustling emporium, but not any more. One of the other traders, who wished to remain anonymous, said the pedestrianisation of the High Street dealt the arcade a killer blow.

"Once the buses were prevented from stopping outside older people could not get here any longer and everyone else forgot about us.

"We tried to tell the council this would happen, but they claimed to know better than we did."

A council spokesperson said: "The city council believes that pedestrianisation has created a healthier environment for people to shop and generally go about their business."

Ms Lloyd believes the council has plans to smarten up Market Arcade, fitting night-time shutters on either end, to enable the interior to be given a good clean and extra features to be added, such as period-style gas lamps.

"It would be nice if other antiques or memorabilia shops opened here to build up some critical mass.

"It's a beautiful location and if we all pull together we might see it busy once again.

"If things go well I would consider opening a coffee shop next door."

l The council said a decision will be taken later this week on whether to conduct a feasibility study on improving Market Arcade.