Newport Don’t Despair – We are a City of Enterprise

Newport hasn’t made the 2025 City of Culture shortlist, but I personally think our city has a lot to celebrate when you consider the various economic development projects and schemes that are either underway or in planning.

On a daily basis we receive enquiries from businesses and organisations who are either already based in the city or considering expanding/relocating to the area. 

Why? Well, those involved in the decision-making processes are favourably identifying the location as ideal for bases to serve their customers across South Wales and the South West.

Commercial rents and property prices are very competitive compared to our neighbours to the east and west. There is a good, skilled labour pool, and house prices here also provide better value for money thereby making it more attractive to encourage personnel to relocate.

Many of the business parks and industrial estates in and around Newport are close to full occupancy. New office opportunities such as the redevelopment of Newport Indoor Market, Clarence House and other offices in and around the city are attracting a lot of interest.

Warehouses and Industrial units are in particular demand and massively outstripping supply. This is not just to accommodate logistics and distribution companies who are choosing to move here rather than the other side of the bridge but also to allow local companies to expand.

So to conclude, we haven’t made the shortlist for the 2025 City of Culture but we were right to submit our application. We shouldn’t be too disappointed and should talk about the positives our city is currently experiencing and build on this.