Newport reminds me of what people say Cardiff used to look like about 20 years ago - rough around the edges and just a little bit grimy...
But worry not, there are plenty of quirky gems to be had in this lively working class city! Well, it was a working class town until 2002 when it became Wales' newest city as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations...
All Newport really needs is a bit of a facelift in what otherwise would be an attractive town centre. Apart from a series of highly impressive pieces of public art dotted around the centre, it seems the council hasn't given the place a facelift since the 70's as most of the civic areas look decidedly from that period!
But all of this is changing!
Last October the ambitious new Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre opened and has already become a major focal point in the city. Also well under way is a massive city regeneration project called
Newport Unlimited whose crowning glory will be completely redeveloping the Kingsway shopping centre and bus station and waterfront! As well as the Riverfront, each time I visit something new and exciting seems to be happening such as the renovation of the historic indoor market, or the addition of a number of cool cafes and restaurants...
Another major coup is the fact that the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament will be coming to Newport in 2010 at the Celtic Manor resort - so expect this place to look awesome by then!
Plenty of potential - plenty of character!
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