The big question

Here’s what they said:

James Pugh, County Industrial Supplies, Cwmbran

Hopefully Admiral will bring a lot more opportunities to Newport. I would like to see the council lower the rates for renting shops on the high street and really push for local companies to move there rather than large nationals. Newport High Street buildings are stunning with a lot of history. I want to see Newport companies in Newport, with a mix of national companies. But the balance has to be right for the city to prosper.

Robert Twigg, ETLP

Admiral’s prominent modern office building opposite the railway station will present a more optimistic first glimpse of the city for people arriving by train. Initially it will bring 500 workers into the city centre with the capacity for up to 1,200. This will hopefully be a shot in the arm for Newport’s shops, bars and restaurants and may also encourage other businesses in the retail and leisure sectors to open.

Dan Smith, director M4 Property Consultants

Yes it is very important because it will create jobs for large number of people in the city centre, predominantly a younger workforce who will be more likely to spend money at break times and after work in local businesses.

I understand there will be shifts working into the evening resulting in increased footfall in the city centre at night which serves to be self policing, In the longer term it could prove to be a catalyst to encourage other call centre operators to move to Newport city centre.

I strongly believe that Newport city centre needs to be a location where people live, work and play rather than just shop.

John Newell, director, Kingston Newell Estate Agents

I think its vital because Newport is increasingly becoming a commuter city for people with jobs in Cardiff and Bristol. House prices here provide greater value for money than the neighbouring cities and encouraging companies like Admiral to Newport will encourage people to choose our city as a place to live and work in.

When the Admiral building is operational, I expect it will further boost the city’s rental market. Existing and new landlords are already being encouraged to invest in properties in the city because demand for accommodation for students and young professionals in and around the city centre has on average resulted in the increase of rents by approximately 2.3 per cent compared to 12 months ago. When Admiral opens the new positions created will increase the demand.

Mike Jenkins Partner at HardingEvans Solicitors Newport

It is the ‘shot in the arm’ that the ailing patient of Newport City Centre has needed for many years following the continued lack of progress in the John Frost Square redevelopment. We have seen retail outlet after retail outlet leave the high street either closing down or moving to out of town retail parks. The Admiral development will result in an influx of hundreds of workers into the city centre which can only mean the ringing of the cash registers will be heard on Commercial Street once again. It also sends out a vote of confidence to businesses who may be considering moving to Newport that we are ‘Open for Business’.

David Russ, managing director of the Centre for Business,

Admiral’s new office has capacity for around 1,200 staff which means a huge increase to the footfall of the city centre. I have no doubt that the majority of those staff will be popping out for some lunch time shopping, or an after work meal, and expect that the area’s many independent businesses will receive a boost from the increased custom. Businesses should start to consider how to make the most of this opportunity.

Lewis Lewis, director of corporate and client services, Lewis and Lewis Ltd, International Construction Consultants, Newport

Regeneration projects and development like the Admiral scheme in Newport City Centre have the potential to transform the city centre radically.

We know that Newport is capable of world-class regeneration projects and only have to look at the likes of The Celtic Manor Resort within this area to show the diversification that the resort offers as well as the visitors, guests and internationally recognised business that are attracted to the area as a result of this.

Admiral is a household name also recognised for excellence in the insurance sector, and by it taking such a prominent position within the city I believe that this will only strengthen future opportunities and will create a striking landmark for Newport to be proud of it will also be a major catalyst for others to follow and have confidence in the city again and that will ultimately lead to a city that is indeed truly open for business.

The city is also continuing to change, with significant projects underway or in the planning. Numerous other city centre investments and work is underway including other important public realm enhancements.

Haydn Thomas, director, Hutchings and Thomas Chartered Surveyors, Newport

The Admiral building is the largest development in Newport city centre, ironically, since the Cambrian Centre was built in the late 1980s. It will be an important catalyst for the improvement and prosperity of Newport and surrounding area, bringing a large number of jobs into the city centre and with it hopefully increased spending, demand for housing and general economic activity. It has been evident that the immediate area around the development is gearing up for the influx of workers with an increase in demand for commercial space on Cambrian Road and Bridge Street, especially in the leisure and service sectors.

That being said, the new workers coming into the city will also need to have an attractive and vibrant city to capture their ‘propensity to consume’ ie good retail outlets, restaurants, cafes etc. I feel that for this to be the case (and for the general good of the city) it is critical that the Friars Walk development happens. It would be easy, with the new developments location, for Admiral employees to jump on a train and spend their money in another town or city.

Kris Broome, St David’s Hospice Care

To see the Admiral Building developing each day is a wonderful sight and hopefully this will act as a catalyst for other investment in the city centre. Wouldn’t it be great to see the larger retailers returning to the centre or more independents open as a result. The atmosphere in the city on Saturday for the food festival was fantastic and certainly something that Newport should be proud of and build on. Perhaps now is the time we all try and change the perception of Newport and start talking about what’s positive in the city rather than always mentioning the negatives.

Kara Williams, partner, Ellis Lloyd Jones, Newport

I believe this building is hugely important. A few hundred employees will be based in the city centre which will mean so much for the local businesses. It will cause retailers to come back to the centre and give us the boost we need. I also think it will serve as a reminder to other businesses, when they’re thinking about where they could establish an office, that Newport has a lot to offer. We shouldn’t forget that Admiral will be benefitting from a fantastic location, on the M4 corridor and within easy travelling distance for Bristol and London. It’s obviously also close to the train station so it’s easier for their employees. Coupled with the development of the rest of the city centre, which has been a while in coming, I think we are finally moving in the right direction for Newport to become busy and vibrant once more. It will help to level the playing field for competition with Cardiff, Cwmbran, and even out of town shopping centres like the one at Spytty, which have been doing so well. That said, exactly how important this new building will be will depend on us. If local business take advantage of the opportunity we have been given, the potential for a turnaround is huge.

Denise Lovering, Commercial Director, Glenside Commercials of Bedwas.

The benefits a new building brings to a business are truly surprising. Of course, it will meet your functional business needs, reduce running costs and be welcomed by staff. But more significantly, the positive perception it generates for both your business and the surrounding area has to be seen to be believed. Glenside Commercials’ bespoke new headquarters in Bedwas opened doors to us resulting directly in significant business growth and our fresh appearance was a key factor. The Admiral building will have a similar impact and will be seen as a vote of confidence in Newport and the surrounding area.

Robin Hall, managing director, Kymin

The new Admiral building is a much needed boost to the future prosperity of Newport. The fact that Admiral, a FTSE100 listed company has made this major investment in the city centre is great news and will start to encourage further investment into the area. With an additional 500 + people working in the city centre on a daily basis this will helps existing retailers, restaurants and café’s and will encourage new business’s on the back of it. Also with the imminent start of the new Friar’s Walk development, we should start to see some further retailers and restaurants signing on the dotted line which will further improve the outlook and appeal for people to start visiting the centre again.