Newport City Council is delighted to reveal that its bid for National Lottery funding for a scheme to refurbish and revitalise Market Arcade has been successful.
Development funding for the Townscape Heritage project from the National Lottery (through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)) was awarded last year.
Now HLF has confirmed that the full bid for more than £1.1 million has been awarded to restore Market Arcade to its former glory.
Originally called Fennell’s Arcade, the arcade was created in 1869 as a key pedestrian route between the railway station and the then new provisions market.
In recent years, it has declined so the council worked with the multiple owners to find a solution which led to the bid being submitted to HLF.
Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “This is another brilliant piece of news for the city centre and I would like to thank all those involved in the successful bid – council officers, owners, members of the community and schools and, of course, the National Lottery players without whom none of it would be possible.
“The regeneration of the city centre remains a key focus for my administration and we are working with a range of partners to find innovative ways of breathing new life into key areas such as Market Arcade.
“Residents have all ages, from schoolchildren to older residents with fond memories of the arcade in better days, have taken part in the development phase and have been fascinated by the history of the arcade so it is also significant that this project will help to preserve and enhance a piece of Newport’s heritage for generations to come.”
Councillor Jane Mudd, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “This fantastic news is the result of a considerable amount of hard work by officers and volunteers over the last two years, working with the property owners, tenants and the wider community.
“It is important to stress that this a long term project and there are a number of things that will need to happen before the physical works on the arcade can start but it is hoped that construction work will begin before spring next year and will take about 15 months.”
Richard Bellamy, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, added: “This is brilliant news for Newport and restoring the historic Market Arcade will be a great boost for the city. This important asset will be given a new lease of life and made relevant for people today, so it can regain its place as part of the beating heart of Newport – for the good of the local community as well as visitors to the city.”
