Latest news with #HomeStore
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
New businesses in Newport city centre so far in 2025
Mint and Sealed – This vinyl shop located in Newport market caters to any and all genres, giving music lovers a chance to pick up something new. Run by former DJ and music fanatic Chris Seal, this business has found its forever home in the market and can let customers explore Newport's 'rich music culture' and explore the thrill of the find. The Television and Movie Store has something for everyone (Image: NQ) Television and Movie Store – this franchise has opened its doors in Friars Walk, after the unit had stood empty for most of this year. Now, it filled with merchandise from any franchise you could wish for, allowing the self-professed geeks to get lost in their shelves. Whether its trading card games or homeware you're after, the Television and Movie Store has something for everyone inside. The Underground – this new entertainment venue opened in the Kingsway Centre, giving visitors an opportunity to let their anger out in their state-of-the-art rage room where you're handed a boiler suit and a baseball bat and told to 'go to town'. They also offer a range of other activities like airsoft in their custom-built arena, axe throwing and nerf battles. The Underground allows visitors to release some rage (Image: NQ) Home Store – this 'temporary' solution to the gaping hole left by Debenham's closure in Newport is an 'everything' shop. Unassuming on the outside, they sell anything you could wish for inside. From kitchenware and homeware to toys and suitcases, there is more than likely something you need in Home Store. Sweet Enough – this international sweet shop is sure to curb any cravings you have for all things sweet. With shelves of sugary goods from across the world on offer, their extensive mouth-watering choices leave nothing to be desired. Coco's – this beloved fixture of Newport's nightlife scene re-opened earlier this year, bringing with it a makeover and revamp. This go-to destination for urban music lovers have added a new 'crisp bottomless brunch' to their menu, giving customers a chance to indulge in all things crunchy with their drinks. Moka E Farina offers up hearty Italian food with a smile (Image: NQ) Moka E Farina – Newport city centre's newest Italian restaurant opened earlier this summer. They have an extensive menu modelled off owner Aziz's love for 'late cafes' – cafes that simply offer up somewhere to go late at night that isn't a pub or bar. Aziz's 20 years of experience as a chef means that his food is already becoming a favourite for their many returning customers. Waterloo Inn – this iconic pub in Nash has re-opened its doors. Now operating as a micro-distillery, the inn has been fully restored with a welcoming bar and restaurant. They now offer up a range of drinks on their revamped menu, with locally brewed ales, wines, and cocktails, many of which are made with spirits distilled on site with Spirit of Wales Distillery. MyPunjab – this new takeaway sits on Commercial Street, having opened earlier this year. Their unique menu offers customers a taste of authentic Pakistani cuisine from their desi kitchen, with a range of delicious halal chicken, kebab, and curry dishes to choose from.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport shoppers suggest stores to replace Debenhams unit
This comes after the Argus had recently revealed the new 'disappointing' Home Store, which opened in May and is currently in place is only a temporary solution. The Debenhams unit, which became been after the national department store chain's collapse four years ago, was used as a vaccination centre during Covid. In April, the unit showed no signs of life, but last month, it was announced the Home Store would be taking over the space in Friars Walk, Newport. A spokesperson for Friars Walk said: "Home Store opened its doors in May as a temporary let whilst we continue to look for a more permanent tenant to fill the space; in the meantime, the doors are open, the lights are on, and it's an additional offer for customers in the city." Despite this, some shoppers say they are left unsatisfied and have shared their thoughts on what they would like to see as a more permanent replacement. Amy-Lee Jackson expressed her desire for an IKEA to take over the space, while John Phillips said: "Marks and Spencer's would be good! Better than the one in Spytty." Xannia Jade Williams said: "TK Maxx, huge Primark? Could even have a few little shops in there." Carol da Rosa suggested a ground floor general market like before, with individual shops upstairs. Marie Mar Mite Harris also suggested a Primark, TK Maxx, or a proper market downstairs with shops upstairs. Others suggested using the space for entertainment or leisure. Yana Blake-Walker said: "Please open a roller rink." Rebecca Lucy Smith was in favour of an ice skating rink. Jon Thomson Pierce would like to see an H&M, while Tina Champion said: "IKEA." Ben Chick suggested a big M&S, with a food hall on the bottom floor next to the bus station. Margaret Richards said: "Some nice clothes shops would be nice, but not Primark." Clare Gray said Dunelm, The Range, or Matalan would be perfect in that unit, as there's already cafe space and toilets in there. Christopher Thomas suggested a budget-friendly store like Home Bargains, B&M, or Primark would work well. Rachel Sutton was in favour of a "little IKEA" as she said it would be within most people's budget for kitchen and bathroom essentials. She said: "The problem is they bring the expensive shops that don't last due to the demographic area, and then we have loads of empty shops. "Look at the high street and see what shops have lasted such as Primark." Matthew Moyle suggested a John Lewis, and Geraint Leach said they should "multi-use the building". He said: "It's a shame you couldn't multi-use the building's top floor to be an indoor market, middle floor be something like Costco. "I would say as it's such a big space that they would be better off trying to sell it to business as two units." The city council does not control who lets spaces in commercial units but it has made helping the owners to find tenants for big sites including Debenhams and Cineworld in Friars Walk a priority in its draft placemaking plan. These suggestions from readers on the Argus Facebook page reflect a desire for a more permanent occupier that will bring people into the city centre.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shoppers' suggestions for Friars Walk's former Debenhams unit
Shoppers have been sharing their suggestions for what could become a more permanent replacement for Newport's Debenhams store. This comes after the Argus had recently revealed the new 'disappointing' Home Store, which opened in May and is currently in place is only a temporary solution. The Debenhams unit, which became been after the national department store chain's collapse four years ago, was used as a vaccination centre during Covid. In April, the unit showed no signs of life, but last month, it was announced the Home Store would be taking over the space in Friars Walk, Newport. A spokesperson for Friars Walk said: "Home Store opened its doors in May as a temporary let whilst we continue to look for a more permanent tenant to fill the space; in the meantime, the doors are open, the lights are on, and it's an additional offer for customers in the city." Read more Debenhams replacement only 'temporary solution' as centre looks for long-term tenant Newport's 24/7 gym reopens after a major makeover 'Aldi would be perfect' - Residents speak out over new Aldi store for Newport Despite this, some shoppers say they are left unsatisfied and have shared their thoughts on what they would like to see as a more permanent replacement. Amy-Lee Jackson expressed her desire for an IKEA to take over the space, while John Phillips said: "Marks and Spencer's would be good! Better than the one in Spytty." Xannia Jade Williams said: "TK Maxx, huge Primark? Could even have a few little shops in there." Carol da Rosa suggested a ground floor general market like before, with individual shops upstairs. Marie Mar Mite Harris also suggested a Primark, TK Maxx, or a proper market downstairs with shops upstairs. Others suggested using the space for entertainment or leisure. Yana Blake-Walker said: "Please open a roller rink." Rebecca Lucy Smith was in favour of an ice skating rink. Jon Thomson Pierce would like to see an H&M, while Tina Champion said: "IKEA." Ben Chick suggested a big M&S, with a food hall on the bottom floor next to the bus station. Margaret Richards said: "Some nice clothes shops would be nice, but not Primark." Clare Gray said Dunelm, The Range, or Matalan would be perfect in that unit, as there's already cafe space and toilets in there. Christopher Thomas suggested a budget-friendly store like Home Bargains, B&M, or Primark would work well. Rachel Sutton was in favour of a "little IKEA" as she said it would be within most people's budget for kitchen and bathroom essentials. She said: "The problem is they bring the expensive shops that don't last due to the demographic area, and then we have loads of empty shops. "Look at the high street and see what shops have lasted such as Primark." Matthew Moyle suggested a John Lewis, and Geraint Leach said they should "multi-use the building". He said: "It's a shame you couldn't multi-use the building's top floor to be an indoor market, middle floor be something like Costco. "I would say as it's such a big space that they would be better off trying to sell it to business as two units." The city council does not control who lets spaces in commercial units but it has made helping the owners to find tenants for big sites including Debenhams and Cineworld in Friars Walk a priority in its draft placemaking plan. These suggestions from readers on the Argus Facebook page reflect a desire for a more permanent occupier that will bring people into the city centre.
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Friars Walk Newport says Home Store only temporary
When the new Home Store was announced to be taking over the old Debenhams unit in Friars Walk, Newport, earlier last month, shoppers were understandably delighted. The unit stood empty since the collapse of the national chain four years ago and after a being used as a vaccination centre during Covid, and until April, there was no sign of life in the building. But since its opening, some shoppers say they have been left disappointed by the replacement. It may be part of the signage advertising the once empty unit, but the phrase 'bring this space to life' emblazoned above the front doors fills shoppers with anticipation upon entering. The new Home Store sells a range of kitchen supplies, storage, carpets and electricals. However, concerns have been raised about the appearance of the store which internally has all the same fixings from the previous Debenhams shop and signage from brands such as Wallis or Urban Decay, which are not part of this operation. Signs for brands that were on sale in Debenhams are still on display in the new Home Store (Image: NQ) Instead, shoppers are met with piles of toilet role for sale, cleaning items and Tupperware. With initial reports leading shoppers to believe that the store would be a furniture store, the change in direction has left some feeling increasingly disappointed. But Friars Walk has taken to reassuring customers on the store's purpose Inside the new Home Store in Friars Walk, Newport (Image: NQ) A spokesperson for Friars Walk said: 'Home Store opened its doors in May as a temporary let whilst we continue to look for a more permanent tenant to fill the space; in the meantime, the doors are open, the lights are on and it's an additional offer for customers in the city.' There is a consensus among shoppers: they are left unsatisfied. With zero online presence it's hard to find anything out about the business until you visit, but users have taken to social media to express their displeasure with the store's allocation to the unit. Many Facebook users have expressed their distaste for the shop, on posts concerned about its purpose. User Eleanor Fynn-Goggin described how they simply "walked in and walked straight back out". Other users such as Graham Shrewsbury believe that the Debenhams signage should stay, as a reminder of "the wonderful stores we have lost that now sell junk". One reader, who calls themselves chezzajo, on a previous Argus article announcing the store's opening said: 'It's not a furniture store. It sells cheap, tacky goods with false discounts.' The Argus has made numerous attempts to meet with the manager of Home Store but so far our attempts have been unsuccessful.
