THE first step of Newport city centre's multi-million-pound redevelopment is set to begin with the demolition of the Kingsway car park.

Crews moved onto the site yesterday to prepare for the mammoth task of ripping down the eyesore facility.

A nine-storey car park with more than 1,000 spaces is to take its place. Contractors for developer UBS are carrying out preparation work and demolition is expected to start next week.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport city council, said: "The first stages of our ambitious plans to totally transform the city centre can now be seen by the people of Newport.

"This is the start of a rapid change to the face of Newport and the fruition of the promises made to make the city centre a prime location for retail, entertainment, culture and business."

The demolition is expected to take until mid-summer, with the car park set to be completed by autumn 2007.

Plans for the Kingsway shopping centre include the refurbishment of the internal malls, new entrances and a new glazed central square, along with a new food court and a 55,000 sq ft anchor store.

New retail units are to be built at the entrance to John Frost Square. This work is due to start in June, and the whole project is scheduled to be completed by early summer 2007.

UBS will be working with the council and Newport Unlimited on their extensive redevelopment plans.

The redesigned and extended centre and nine-storey car park will be linked with the council-backed Modus Corovest city centre regeneration scheme.

Shops, including a 105,000 sq ft department store, plus leisure facilities, apartments, public spaces, cafs and restaurants are planned.

Work is expected to start on this site towards the end of 2006, with completion expected in autumn 2009, in time for the Ryder Cup in 2010. John Burrows, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said: "The demolition of the Kingsway car park is the first significant step of the wider regeneration of Newport's city centre."

* The Modus Corovest plans were resubmitted to the council this week and are due to be considered at a planning meeting on May 17.