THE Newport Centre, which has played host to stars including David Bowie, Princess Diana and Ed Sheeran, is to close its doors for good today after nearly 40 years.

Newport Council has confirmed to the Argus that the centre will be demolished this spring - but preparation work will take place before the full demolition can commence.

The city centre building was opened in 1985 and is due to be knocked down and replaced with a new £19.7 million leisure, health, and wellbeing centre on Usk Way.

South Wales Argus: Aerial shot of the centre Aerial shot of the centre (Image: @maxparkerphoto)

Aerial shot of the centre. Picture: @maxparkerphoto

A spokesperson for Newport council said: “The council’s plans to deliver a new leisure offer on a nearby site are continuing to progress.

“Work is taking place on ensuring the centre is as energy-efficient as possible and provides the best, and most appropriate, facilities for residents.

“This is a major, complex project and it is vitally important that time is taken to investigate all the options to ensure the centre will be sustainable, of a high standard and can serve the city and its residents for many years to come.

South Wales Argus: An artist's impression of what the new leisure centre will look like An artist's impression of what the new leisure centre will look like (Image: Newsquest)

An artist's impression of what the new leisure centre will look like

“Construction will start on site when this detailed work has been completed. It is expected to start on site in early 2024 and will take about 18 months to complete.

“The council is pleased that Newport Live has been able to secure a temporary venue so it can still provide a leisure offer in the city centre.”

Newport Live has been asked if any jobs will be lost as a result of the building's closure but had not responded as the Argus went to press.

Newport Live has confirmed an interim site opposite Newport Railway Station next to Admiral House in Cambrian Centre, Cambrian Road - also known as Station Quarter.

South Wales Argus: Princess Diana visited centre for a concert in 1985. Here she is shown to her seat by Lord Lieutenant Mr Richard Hanbury TenisonPrincess Diana visited centre for a concert in 1985. Here she is shown to her seat by Lord Lieutenant Mr Richard Hanbury Tenison (Image: Newsquest)

Princess Diana visited centre for a concert in 1985. Here she is shown to her seat by Lord Lieutenant Mr Richard Hanbury Tenison

The centre will open on April 1 - complete with "a wide variety of new and familiar cardiovascular and functional training equipment".

The station will open Monday to Friday 6am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 8pm.

Plans for a new “state-of-the-art” leisure centre on Usk Way were approved in November 2021. According to the report presented to the committee, this unlocks the current leisure centre site for new uses.

The report stated: “The building, architecturally, is dated and no longer contributes positively to the character of the surrounding area.”

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) objected to the application due to “inadequate information” in relation to flooding.

The council report states that there’s a 0.5 per cent flood risk according to the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP).