John Coyne, Chief Executive, British Council Shopping Centres (BCSC), said:
“The opening of Friars Walk is an exciting milestone for the local area as well as a major success story for the retail property industry.
“Friars Walk was named earlier this year in Enabling Retail Development, a BCSC publication that showcased the best examples of public and private sectors working together.
“True partnership between local authorities and private investors, as seen in Newport, is critical to delivering real regeneration in town and city centres.
“We continue to work with Government, on behalf of the industry, to ensure local government has at its disposal the tools needed to attract investment and development.”