Latest news with #EmmaStowell-Corten
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
New vision for Newport city centre welcomed
Containing a mix of short-, medium- and long-term projects, the plan, unveiled in June, sets out a vision for a 'new era' for Newport packed with events and makeovers. The most immediate proposals include a food-focused outdoor market around the Steel Wave sculpture, and building a new playground, possibly in John Frost Square, to make central Newport a more 'family-friendly destination'. Empty shops will be colourfully 'wrapped' to improve the look of commercial areas, and more prominence will be given to local artwork and culture. The new strategy replaces a previous 'masterplan' for the city centre which delivered 'key' projects like the 'hugely successful' indoor market refurbishment, said Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture. Speaking at a Newport City Council cabinet meeting, she said the plan's aims would be overseen by a new 'placemaking board' of senior councillors and city-centre stakeholders. The council wants to 'ensure the city centre becomes a vibrant place that meets the needs of all', said Cllr Stowell-Corten. Newport will host a 'rich and diverse calendar of events' to encourage people to spend more time in the city centre. 'Extensive' consultation had found a 'clear' desire for 'the city centre to be a place where people feel safe, want to spend time, and they are part of', she added. Cllr Deb Davies, the local authority's deputy leader, welcomed the 'ambitious and realistic' plan and said residents 'want to see change and they want to embrace that change'. Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, who leads the city council, acknowledged the 'huge amount of work' preparing the new plan, and said it was 'only the start' of the local authority's plans to improve the city centre. The first phases of the project could start to take shape 'in the coming weeks', added Cllr Stowell-Corten, who pointed out a placemaking plan would also be essential if the council is to secure any Welsh Government Transforming Towns investment for the city centre.
South Wales Argus
09-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Can children visit Newport Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre?
City councillors heard how a 'soft launch' of the centre has proved successful, but a full opening is not possible while bridge restoration works continue. 'Repair and refurbishment' work on the Grade I listed structure, one of the few of its kind remaining in the world, will 'ensure it remains operational and accessible to visitors', according to a new council report. This includes replacing and repainting cables, repairing the gondola, and grit-blasting 'large sections' of the boom. A first look at Newport Transport Bridge visitor centre in February (Image: NQ staff) The £16.9 million project has 'visibly progressed' but has been held up by factors 'including storms and periods of bad weather', however. A visitor centre 'soft launch' went ahead in November 2024, after that part of the project reached 'practical completion', allowing local dignitaries and community members to tour the new attraction. Speaking during a council scrutiny committee, Cllr Matthew Pimm asked how the new visitor centre would be an 'attractive place' for young people to visit, including on school trips. Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, said the new visitor centre includes 'lots of great interactive' activities for children. First Minister Eluned Morgan at Newport Transporter Bridge in February (Image: NQ staff) It also houses a 'multi-use' space where other activities or sessions can be arranged and held, she added. 'It's really, really great – it's not just a blank space,' Cllr Stowell-Corten assured the committee. Tracey Brooks, the council's head of regeneration and economic development, said the visitor centre would be 'really quite special' and had already welcomed some schoolchildren as part of the site's partial launch. 'I was blown away by the amount of stuff that was there for members of the public', added committee chairman Cllr Mark Howells, who said he had visited the attraction during the soft launch. Meanwhile, the committee report also included an update on plans for the city's Medieval Ship, which is yet to be given a permanent home following its restoration. A 'long-term strategy' for the ship is currently expected to be completed by next spring, and the council has hired consultants to work on 'scoping options' for its reassembly and display. A final report on those options is expected halfway through the current financial year.
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport Music Trail 2026 dates announced for March 2026
Last year's music trail brought 25 venues, 90 acts, and 36 hours of live music to the city across two days. Next year's event looks to build on these already impressive inaugural figures. This free event is curated with FOCUS Wales and will showcase some of the best talent from a range of different genres that Newport and the rest of the UK has to offer. Last year's music trail saw over 13,000 extra people visit the city centre over the two days and 2026 looks to increase that figure. FOCUS Wales' Andy Jones talks of his excitement for the event (Image: Newport City Council) Emma Stowell-Corten, Cabinet Member for Communications and Culture, said at the launch event: 'The night before the first day of the Music Trail last year, I thought 'what if no one turns up?' But by the time we got to 5PM on Saturday night I couldn't leave Le Pub for fear of not getting back in.' Andy Jones, co-founder of FOCUS Wales, said: 'When we were approached about the project, I was immediately excited because there's lots of great bands and venues involved.' Newport Music Trail 2025 - all the highlights here Those who frequent Newport's thriving music scene, either on stage or as a punter, often share the same sentiment that the city has a rich and flourishing music scene that involves people from all walks of life. A wide variety of acts will perform across the city over two days (Image: Newport City Council) The venues themselves share this sentiment, with Sam Dabb, manager of Le Pub and chair of The Corn Exchange, saying: 'There are so many amazing venues in Newport who all work together, which is something you don't get in other cities.' The venues are in constant communication with each other, which only adds to the feelings of community and belonging that the music scene gives visitors. This event looks to build on Newport's already rich music history which spans from James Thomas Rogers, one of the earliest members of the musical community in the city, right up to Sam Fender's use of the iconic transporter bridge on the cover of 'People Watching'. With the constant growth of Newport music scene, the 2026 Newport Music Trail looks to become even bigger and better, attracting even more visitors to the city centre.
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Eisteddfod yr Urdd is ‘huge opportunity' for Newport
Tredegar House will welcome thousands of people to the Welsh-language youth cultural festival for its 2027 edition. Newport City Council cabinet members agreed on Monday to provide an extra £100,000 of funding to support the event. The money, from the council's events reserve fund, will be ring-fenced for hire and venue charges, licensing matters, and any park and ride services. Cllr Emma Stowell-Corten, the cabinet member for culture, said the Urdd has 'a huge economic value to the areas that host it' worth millions of pounds. She said more than 15,000 children and young people participate in the festival, which will also attract thousands more visitors. Cllr Rhian Howells, whose ward includes Tredegar House, said she was 'absolutely thrilled' Newport would host the Urdd. 'Having seen the level of income it generates for the city… I would be very supportive of the extra funding,' she added. Other cabinet members also welcomed the possibilities the festival could bring to the city. Plaid Cymru pledges to free access to Urdd Eisteddfod for low-income families Newport is a 'city on the rise' with a bright future - and this is why Cllr Jason Hughes, reflecting on his own appearance on the Urdd stage as a youngster, said the experience could be 'life-changing' for young participants. The Urdd will be a 'huge opportunity', said Cllr Deb Davies – while Cllr James Clarke said the prospect of welcoming an estimated 60,000 visitors will be a 'massive boost' for Newport. 'What better way to say we are a proud Welsh city,' added Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, the city council leader. Preparing for the event will be no small feat, however, with around 90 acres of land required for the festival ground, car parking and campsites. Schools could be used as rehearsal spaces, while teachers and other support staff will likely need to be available to support children with their preparations. The 2027 Urdd will reportedly be the largest Welsh-language event in the city in two decades. The council describes the prospect as a 'huge event and opportunity for Newport' which will also align with Welsh Government ambitions to reach a target of one million Welsh speakers nationwide by the year 2050.
