Newport Market’s underground cellar could soon be transformed into shops should the company operating the market have plans approved by the city council. The plans could see the vaults below the market turned into shops, restaurants, offices or leisure businesses to make for a vibrant mixed space.
It is understood the plans include private dining rooms, wine and sherry tasting facilities, toddlers’ entertainment, a games arcade and a bookable exercise studio. The market's refurbishment, which cost between five and six million pounds, comes after years of declining footfall and after many of its most well-known traders began to depart. You can see pictures of how Newport Market has changed over the years here.
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While the newly-refurbished market has been bustling in recent weeks, the vaults remain untouched. They have been used for storage space for decades while there are tales of them being used to house livestock in the 19th century.
The new plans submitted by developers LoftCo to Newport council’s planning department would add further excitement to the area’s renaissance, with work planned to start in months should the change of use be granted.
A heritage impact statement reads: “In order to use the spaces for functions such as a bar, personal services such as tattoo parlour or entertainments such as gaming, then there needs to be a reasonable control on ventilation, heating, and moisture build-up within the spaces.” Work needed to be done will include protection against flooding and health and safety requirements. To get the latest Newport news straight to your inbox subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
