The big question

Among speakers was City Centre Taskforce leader Simon Gibson who spoke about the report from reNewport, Ian Edwards, of Celtic Manor Resort, and city council leader Councillor Bob Bright.

At the end of the half-day event there was a certain buzz in the business community.

So Business Argus has been asking those who attended, and those who didn't, what they thought of the Newport Summit.

Gillian Otlet, chief executive of Newport Unlimited (attended)

It was really good to see a new round of enthusiasm at the summit, and a figure-head, such as Simon Gibson, supported by dedicated funding from the Welsh Government, will really help to make the next big step change that Newport needs. The recommendations made by the reNewport team build on physical regeneration successes such as the Newport City Footbridge, the University Campus, Friars Walk, the new Admiral building and all the development along both sides of the river. But, as Simon Gibson pointed out, the next phase is about people, not just buildings, and that’s absolutely where it needs to be. The summit focussed on looking forward to make the most of what’s already out there and capitalise on the unique skills and talents in ICT and sport. Meanwhile, the establishment of an innovation company, to act as a hub to attract research funds, inward investors and support the growth of SMEs, is a key part of the next phase for Newport. You definitely get a sense of optimism and positive change in the city, and Newport Unlimited is pleased to have been able to establish the foundations for regeneration and strongly support the work of reNewport to take the city in to the future.

James Pugh, County Industrial Supplies, Cwmbran

Sadly we didn't know about the Newport City Summit. We would have been very keen to have taken part if invited to attend. County Industrial Supplies is a very successful, privately owned, Welsh business. We are extremely interested in all potential developments which affect Wales, in particular South Wales and those on our very doorstep such as the City of Newport. Speakers at the Summit returned to, and reiterated time and again, the theme of working together, collaboration, joined up thinking and team work. We're now looking forward to seeing how that pans out over the near to medium term for the benefit of all and for those who have the best interests of the city of Newport and its future prosperity and success at heart. And we count ourselves in that category. In the mean time I will be studying the reNewport report: The City of Newport ... On the Rise with interest.

Nigel Griffiths, chief operating officer at Certus TG, Newport

The summit was a really positive event that showed that there is a practical shift towards the continual evolution of Newport as a city, building on the legacy of what has been achieved to date. There is a fantastic sense of momentum with different developments such as the £35m university building where the summit was held, as well as luxury apartments, springing up all over the city. Hopefully this will continue to change the perception of Newport and forge a clear brand that positions it as the gateway to Wales. The future of Newport is being driven by the commercial sector, with technology companies leading the way on building a vibrant economy that encourages commerce and makes the city a destination to go to, rather than avoid. With the NATO Summit being held at the Celtic Manor Resort later this year, it is essential that Newport is positioned as a thriving environment. We think that Newport could be a technology hub for Wales, as software development and engineering are core skills that will be able to lead the way when it comes to innovation from Wales. As well as Newport being home to Europe’s largest tier 3+ data centre, operated by Next Generation Data. However, there is currently a shortage of talent in the area, but hopefully with the positive changes happening this won’t be the case for much longer.

Robin Hall, managing director, Kymin, Newport

Yes, I did attend the Newport City Summit on Tuesday which was indeed a very well attended and inspirational event. As I said in last week’s Business Argus I would definitely like to see this become a regular event and many on the day seemed to share my views. It was evident that 2014 is the year of opportunity for the City, we have among other things the imminent start of the Friars Walk development, the opening of the Admiral Insurance building at Queensway in May and the NATO summit at the Celtic Manor Resort in September. These along with the £15m that has been announced for the regeneration of Commercial Street through the "Vibrant and Viable Places" funding we will start to notice a big difference to the City Centre over the coming 12 to 18 months. The RENewport report has some great projects listed, including a Software University and Hospitality school, some of these will start soon and indeed there has been confirmation of initial funding for some from Edwina Hart in the past week. I have lived in Newport for more than 36 years and have always been a great supporter of the City through businesses and other means but for the first time in a long time I can see the City that I am proud to call home, finally on the up.

David Russ, managing director, South Wales Chamber and Centre for Business (attended)

I wholeheartedly endorse the views that came out of the Newport Summit, and there was definitely a feeling of renewed vigour, energy and vibrancy around the regeneration of the city. There have been a number of false dawns for Newport, caused in large by the faltering economy, but there seems to be a greater confidence in the city now. This is reinforced by the recent demolition of the car park to make way for the impressive Friars Walk retail and leisure development, complete with its anchor store, Debenhams. The Newport Summit should be a regular event, but we need to make sure that it doesn’t turn into just another talking shop. In fact, we should approach it like a private-sector business with a vision, a business plan with smart objectives, and a regular AGM where community stakeholders are informed as to what has been achieved. There definitely should be an open-door policy where the community can feed in to the plans and share their thoughts and ideas. Above all, we mustn’t lose the energy that’s been created through the summit – but harness it for the future benefit of the city.

Peter Lewis, managing director, IAC ltd, Newport

I declined my invitation to attend the Newport City Summit and I’ll tell you why. I went to a similar event in Newport five years ago and felt that I was surrounded by civil servants, local government officers and self-centred, self-interested councillors and the like. On my table, I was the only one from manufacturing and all of the rest wanted to be on a beach in Barbados in five years’ time. No-one wanted to have a constructive conversation about the future unless there was something in it for them. Not my sort of people. I have heard nothing of that event since, so what was the outcome? Do we now have a master plan? Can I safely book my retirement?

Carolyn Pugsley, director, Freshwater (attended)

The sense of enthusiasm, energy and drive was clearly palpable at the summit, and it was apparent that everyone was left with a sense of excitement about the city’s future. Newport Unlimited has made some great strides forward in regenerating the city over the past decade, and reNewport has now laid out its vision on how this can be taken forward, positioning Newport as a city on the rise. What was really good to see was all the partner agencies, from across the public and private sector, coming together at the summit, united by a common goal: to make Newport a city that we can all be proud of. As I left, I saw the bulldozers and cranes working hard on clearing the former car park site, slowly transforming it into the new home for Friars Walk. It was a physical demonstration that positive changes are definitely afoot in the city, and more is yet to come.