Queensberry Real Estate announces the appointment of Cooke & Arkwright as the new retail letting agent for Friars Walk, the 390,000 sq ft shopping and leisure development in Newport city centre due to open Autumn 2015.
Cooke & Arkwright is the third letting agent working on the scheme and join national agents Lunson Mitchenall and Strutt and Parker. Cooke & Arkwright is one of the largest independent practices in Wales and provides a full range of multi-disciplinary services. Based in Cardiff and with strong links to Newport, the firm is already extremely active in Newport City Centre and the wider catchment area.
Commenting on the appointment, Stuart Harris, Commercial Director and Co Founder of Queensberry Real Estate said “Cooke & Arkwright has an excellent reputation. They know Newport really well and have a strong presence in the area. Being based in South Wales, they have local knowledge and this will be a big advantage to us; they are in daily contact with a number of key retailers that we are aiming to attract into the Friars Walk scheme and can be at our marketing suite presenting Friars Walk in a matter of minutes.
“It is really important for us to use local companies where possible and bringing Cooke & Arkwright into the scheme adds another dimension to potential retailers.”
Huw Thomas, Director at Cooke & Arkwright said: “We’re delighted to join Queensberry Real Estate and the letting team in dealing with the marketing of Friars Walk. Given that the construction work is currently on track for opening in approximately 12 months time, it’s a very exciting time for the development with numerous discussions taking place with a variety of interested retailers. Friars Walk will contribute significantly to the ongoing regeneration and revitilisation of Newport City Centre and will create a shopping and leisure environment which the local Newport and surrounding population will be proud of.”
Construction of Friars Walk is well underway, with the infrastructure for Debenhams almost complete and the steel work for Cineworld commencing last month. The scheme is currently 60% let and due to open autumn 2015.
Queensberry Real Estate was chosen by Newport City Council to rejuvenate the city centre with a modern shopping centre that integrates into Newport’s existing retail fabric. Friars Walk will bring more than 390,000 sq ft of modern, well-configured retail and leisure space. Itwill include 35 retail units, 11 restaurants, 350 parking spaces and a major new bus station and interchange.
On completion the scheme will provide an estimated 1,200 jobs worth around £15 million in salaries a year to the local economy. This is in addition to the jobs created during the construction phase and the potential for local companies to be involved in the supply chain of the centre.
