*This story has been amended to reflect the fact that an indoor Christmas shop will be coming to Friars Walk, rather than an outdoor market. Further announcements on the centre's Christmas offering are expected in due course.
A Christmas shop will be opening in Newport next month despite the on-going pandemic, it has been announced.
The shop will open at Friars Walk shopping centre on Thursday November 19, and run until December 23.
Run by events company Green Top Events, which also runs market events in Chepstow, Cwmbran and Thornbury, it will feature market-style vendors selling "a range of delicious local artisan food and beverage producers, along with some very talented hand crafted stalls."
Gareth O'Sullivan, who runs Green Top Events, said: "Being from Newport myself and seeing how the city has struggled recently, I've wanted to bring something like this here for a long time."
The shop will feature the likes of MINT & Feather, E-Designs jewellery and gifts, Tudor Brewery and P&P Possibilities, with more vendors to be confirmed.
"We've got a huge range of traders already signed up, with food, cakes, craft beers, gifts, jewellery, jumpers.
"There'll be vegan and vegetarian offerings too," said Gareth.
The shop will also be adhering strictly to Covid-19 guidelines, with social distancing, one way systems, sanitising stations and contactless payment all in place.
Simon Pullen, centre director at Friars Walk, said: “We are pleased to announce that there will be a Christmas shop in a unit at Friars Walk next month, featuring six fantastic traders offering a range of great products from food and drink to gift items, with further announcements to be made in due course.
"There are no confirmed plans for a Christmas Market to be held in conjunction with Newport City Council at present.”
Newport Christmas shop launches on Thursday, November 19 and will run until Wednesday, December 23, from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on a Sunday.
Any traders interested in taking part can contact Green Top Events at info@greentopevents.com.
