THE selected developer of the planned redevelopment of Newport’s John Frost Square is speaking to retailers who may be interested in moving to the new shopping hub.

Regeneration cabinet member Cllr Ed Townsend told a full Newport council meeting that developer Queensberry was continuing to speak to potential tenants while negotiations were unfolding between it and the council.

Council officers are working on the detail of the development, he said, adding that no start for the work could be given until negotiations were complete.

Councillors were told that officers were also working to make sure Commercial Street would not be isolated by the redevelopment.

He said previous plans for Frairs Walk would have isolated the shopping street.

Cllr Townsend said investment due to go into the Pill area will also encourage the development of the bottom end of Commercial Street.

“The level of interest that we are getting is very encouraging,”

said Cllr Townsend, speaking to the Argus after the meeting. “It’s a very important couple of months nowin building confidence in the city centre so we can get this thing built.”

Earlier this summer the council announced Queensberry as its preferred bidder for the new development in John Frost Square.

Cabinet members have agreed to the council being one of the early investors in the project. Full financial details are to be negotiated by the cabinet subgroup overseeing the project but will not be made public because they are commercially sensitive.

Negotiations between Queensberry and Newport council are expected to be completed by the autumn.

Queensberry’s past projects include the award-winning shopping centre schemes of SouthGate in Bath and Victoria Square in Belfast.