Bid for retail park on Newport site earmarked for Morrisons
A new shopping complex could be built in Newport after plans to build a supermarket on the site fell through, it was revealed today.
Morrisons was expected to build a store just off the A41 in Audley Avenue. But the store giant has pulled out of the scheme. And now landowner David Tringham has revealed he is in talks with other big store names about opening on the site.
He hopes that by working with Telford & Wrekin Council he will be able to open a retail park, which he claims will attract more people to the town.
"Morrisons is no longer going to go ahead, and that is something the store itself decided, but we are in negotiations with several big names," Mr Tringham said.
"The site is looking set to be a retail park, with a number of exciting names interested in the land.
"By doing this it will be able to put Newport on the map, and more people will be attracted to come to the town."
Morrisons today confirmed it is no longer planning to build on the site. This comes two weeks after budget supermarket Aldi opened a store nearby.
Earlier this year Morrisons shut 10 unprofitable stores across the country, including one in Donnington.
In February 2013 the supermarket giant announced it had exchanged contracts for the Newport site and hoped to open its new store during the first half of 2014, creating 250 jobs. The plan was given the green light by a planning inspector, but the council then challenged the go-ahead twice – once in the High Court and once in the Court of Appeal.
On both occasions the local authority lost, which paved the way for Morrisons to start work.
But, like other big retailers, it says shopping habits have changed and that big superstores are no longer the future.
David Parker, of the Save Newport Campaign, said he hopes the alternative retail development, if it goes ahead, will not damage the high street. He said: "Until we know the details it is very difficult for myself or the campaign members to comment."
