December’s footfall was up on November’s, bucking a Wales-wide decrease between the two months.
Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We remain optimistic that our plan for the city centre is working, as we collaborate with traders, venues and our night-time businesses to develop a city centre that’s fit for 2026 and the years ahead.
“We cannot keep looking backwards if we want to move forwards. This might be a cliché but it people are not shopping in the same way. We have to recognise that we are in 2026 not 1986 when the world was very different.
“Retail is still a key part of the city centre experience but as habits have changed so has the way people spend their free time. Which is why our events programme, our theatres, dining experiences, venues and other social spaces are so important.
“The council is working with partners, including the police and Newport Now, to crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour in the city centre and this is having an impact.”
New footfall counters were installed in 10 locations across the centre in March 2025 which makes it difficult to make direct comparisons with 2024.
Councillor James Clarke, cabinet member for regeneration and business growth, said: “We’ve seen many new businesses opening up in the city centre more recently. Occupancy rates in the city centre are at their highest in almost a decade.
“The Kingsway Centre, for example, is thriving under its current owners. And Newport Market is a fantastic example of our approach to regeneration, it is now a place where people can gather to socialise as well as providing events space and offices.
“The council works hard to support businesses and we are pleased to share the news that our 25 per cent rates relief for some city centre businesses will continue in 2026/27 if the budget is passed in full council in February.”
“And new developments are coming which will bring in even more people into the city centre. Our new leisure and well-being centre is due to be completed this year and Coleg Gwent’s ambitious plan to deliver a new college campus will mean around 2,000 students plus staff will be based in the heart of the city centre.”
Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for communications and culture, said: “Events, whether organised by the council, partners or other organisations, have been incredibly important in attracting people to the city centre who also visit our independent retailers, venues and eateries.
“Even more events are taking place in 2026. In just the first three months of this year, there is the upcoming free Comedi Festival and the return of the Newport Music Trail, Not Only Dragons and Daffs and the Festival of Words in March.
“There is so much to look forward to.”
There are 510 commercial units in the defined city centre area and more than 68 per cent of those are independent, rising from 307 in September 2024 to nearly 350 now. The last count showed that the vacancy rate was 16.8 per cent, a reduction of more than six per cent in the same period.
