NEWPORT’S market looks set for a dramatic £750,000 revamp in a bid to bring shoppers baack to that part of the city centre.

The city council wants to build a new central entrance for the market on High Street and nurture a cafe and restaurant quarter in the area, in a scheme that could return the grade II listed building to its 1930s appearance.

Buses could also return to the street – a proposal that won praise from market traders the Argus spoke to yesterday.

“It would be fair to say that this part of the city centre has felt neglected over the years,” said Councillor Ed Townsend, council cabinet member for regeneration.

He said the area is “due for a turnaround” in its fortunes. The council is currently discussing the proposals with traders.

Under the proposals a new central entrance would be created from the current office access, flanked by new units covered by a canopy instead of the current concrete covering.

The units could be used for shops or restaurants and could remain open outside the market’s normal opening hours.

The High Street kiosks would meanwhile be moved into the market, potentially allowing bus services to stop on High Street.

But there are no firm plans at present for routes to stop there, with the council currently reviewing city centre transport links.

Traders are being kept up to date with the proposals and the council is trying to resolve any outstanding issues. Sheila Davies, corporate director, said she hoped work to the front of the market will be complete within 12 months.

Cash is available from Newport Unlimited, which is two-thirds funded by the Welsh Government and one-third by Newport council for the scheme. It has set aside £2.6 million to improve the city centre.

Market traders yesterday praised the proposals.

Alison Farmer, who owns Alison’s clothes stall, said the ideas were brilliant, and that the current entrance was easy to miss: “Hopefully it would bring people from the offices, and that they will come to this area rather than zip off.”

Ali Nawas, of City Fashions, said: “The central entrance will be great and will hopefully make the market more visible.”

Mark Ashman, owner of Mr Fruit, added that bus services on High Street was something traders had fought for for a very very long time.