Friday, October 25, 2013

southwalesargus.co.uk

Five top restaurants on their way to city centre

NEWS IN BRIEF
Death accidental
THE death of a 79-year-old man following a fall in his house was accidental, an inquest in Newport was told. Idwal Rees Presdee, of Brynmawr, fell down the stairs in his house on July 17. Gwent coroner David Bowen was told that three days later he died at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny . A post mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be pneumonia following a fracture caused by the fall.

Homes plan

EIGHT apartments, four houses and a bungalow are being proposed for phase two of a development at Bakery Close, Commercial Road, Talywain, by Melin Homes.

Market celebrates
WELCOME: Haydn Thomas, of Hutchings and Thomas chartered surveyors

DEAL: Five restaurants have signed for Friars Walk

FIVE well-known restaurant brands have signed up to take more than 25,000 sq ft of space at the Friars Walk development in Newport greeted as fantastic by city centre business people. Nandos, Cosmo, Frankie & Bennys, Prezzo, and Chiquittos join Next, Topshop, Debenhams and Cineworld who have already committed to the city centre development, which is being carried out by Queensberry Real Estate. Three of the remaining six restaurant units are also under offer. Chris Taylor, operations director at financial services firm Kymin, which is based in Bridge Street, said: This is fantastic news for the Friars Walk scheme and the city as a whole. These are top-branded, wellliked and fashionable restaurants which are popular with families a group we need to attract into the centre both during the day and in the evenings.

NIGHT LIFE: Artists impression of Friars Walk

LLANYRAFON Manor Food and Craft Market is celebrating its first anniversary of trading on Sunday with a Halloweenthemed market day . Stalls will include local and fresh food from producers such as ElmTree Foods and handmade crafts from Lily Rose Jewellery and Honeybee Beautiful. The market is open between 10am and 2pm, at the restored Llanyrafon Manor Rural Heritage Centre on Llanfrechfa Way . This years Christmas market will be on November 24.

By Jo Barnes
01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness

These restaurants, the multiscreen cinema and other retail outlets that are all part of the scheme have the ability to transform Newport. Haydn Thomas, of Hutching & Thomas Chartered Surveyors, said: This announcement is very welcome and is a huge boost for the city . It is a key element that the city centre has always lacked and this now will help attract young families, among others, into the city centre. Stuart Harris, head of leasing at Queensberry, said: These restaurants are another great addition to our line-up at Friars Walk. They all see the huge potential in a rejuvenated New-

port. We are very proud to be so closely involved with the growth of Newport at such an exciting time for the city . Newport City Council leader Councillor Bob Bright said: These popular restaurants have been long awaited in Newport. This is just the news we need to take us that one step closer to Newport having a 24/7 vibrant city centre. The redevelopment is attracting more and more big names, and like everyone else in Newport, the council is looking forward to this retail and leisure scheme coming to fruition. It is expected that Friars Walk will create more than 1,100 jobs in its 35 retail units, restaurants and cinema complex. The 390,000 sq ft-plus scheme will also include 360 parking spaces and new bus station and interchange. Demolition of the site will begin next week.

Man who drowned probably tripped

A MAN found drowned in a stream in Cwmbran in June probably tripped and fell in while affected by cannabis, a coroner concluded. The body of Matthew Karl Viner, 37, of Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, was found partially submerged in a stream in Stonebridge Park, Croesyceiliog. Although Mr Viner was a heavy drinker, Gwent coroner David Bowen was told at an inquest in Newport no alcohol was found in his body at a post mortem examination. There was evidence of cannabis. Colin Viner told Mr Bowen his sons heavy drinking began after his mother died in 1997. He had also suffered from depression. A statement from Mr Viners friend Rachel Grant described two really nice days they spent together, June 4 and June 6, when Mr Viner appeared not to have drunk anything. The statement said towards the

end of June 6 he went into her garden, and when he returned it was immediately apparent he had taken something. Subsequent texts and phone calls on June 6-7 received confused answers, then none at all, prior to his body being found. Mr Bowen was satisfied Mr Viner probably tripped and fell into the river where he drowned while affected by cannabis. A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

Chartist mural meeting to take place in November: page 9