AN APPLICATION to convert an empty shop in Newport city centre into an education and daily respite centre has been rejected.

Tom Gledhill, of Azalea Care and Education Ltd, had submitted an application for a change of use of 47 Commercial Street from a retail space to an educational space.

Under the plans, the centre would have be open between 9.30am and 9pm on weekdays, and it would see another two full-time employees, taking the total number of employees to four.

However, Newport City Council’s planners have rejected the application, adding that it would have a “detrimental impact” on the viability of the city centre.

A planning report stated: “The proposed change of use would have a detrimental impact upon the viability and vitality of the town centre due to the loss of a retail use on a primary shopping frontage.”