THERE were words of concern and calls of support for the plan for Newport council to borrow cash to build Friars Walk from business people, councillors and members of the public in the city yesterday.

More than 70 comments were posted to the Argus website yesterday in response to the news, with many expressing concern it could end badly.

One commenter said: “Not a fan of this idea, if they borrow the money why not project manage it themselves?”

Another argued that it was an “astute political move - and it is purely political. If it succeeds this lot will be re-elected. If it fails they will be chucked out and the next lot will be left holding the debt.”

Haydn Thomas, director of Newport-based chartered surveyors Hutchings and Thomas, backed the idea saying the Friars Walk development needs to go ahead now.

“It seems that Debenhams is pushing the time-scale, we need them in the development to make it happen. I am fully behind it as long as they [Newport council] have done their due diligence, crossed the Is and dotted the Ts," he said.

He expressed hope that the move would create more private sector development on the back of it, and said he was sure Queensberry were here for the long haul: “They are a tried and tested developer.”

Alan Edwards, president of the Newport Chamber of Trade, admitted he was a “little bit surprised” that the council wants to fund the development, but he said he was all in favour of the move.

“We’re dead without it. You ask my chamber of trade. We won’t have shops here otherwise,” he said.

But Bob Shepherd, a city-based specialist in bank and business finance for small and medium sized companies, expressed scepticism over the plan and raised questions over why Newport should carry the responsibility for the loan.

“I don’t see why Newport is borrowing that money to then lend it to the developers – that would mean Newport City Council shouldering the responsibility for the loan.

“If the developers don’t have the resource to do the development I would question why we are using them. The developers should borrow the money themselves.

“If something went wrong Newport would carry the can.”

Jon Powell, owner of the @ The Newsagent kiosk in Newport Market, said he “obviously” wants the Friars Walk project to be built and said it was a “brave move” to borrow the cash.

But Steve Reynolds of Toy Army in Newport Market, said he was “fearful we will come off worse at the end of it”.

Conservative council opposition leader Matthew Evans, speaking on behalf of the council Tory group, called the proposal a “bold move”.

He said: “We will give the proposal serious consideration. We don’t want to see the city centre declining any further and are mindful that the city’s future hinges on the successful redevelopment – but we still have some concerns that will need to be addressed.”

Cllr Evans added that they had asked the chief executive Will Godfrey to give them a briefing before Tuesday’s meeting: “I sincerely hope that’s forthcoming.”

Queensberry declined to comment ahead of Tuesday’s meeting yesterday.