A £1.1m project to restore a historic shopping arcade in a Welsh city centre will begin this this weekend.
Scaffolding will be put up at the 19th-century Market Arcade in Newport city centre, with work to start later this month.
Newport City Council has secured funding from the Heritage Fund, Cadw and Welsh Government for the project to restore the 19th-century arcade, which will remain open until the project is completed next year.
Work will include the restoration of the shopfronts and refurbishment of the glazed canopy.
Originally called Fennell’s Arcade, Market Arcade was created in 1869 as a key pedestrian route between the railway station and the then new provisions market.
In recent years it has declined, so the council has worked with the multiple owners, leading to the bid being submitted to the Heritage Fund.
See how much Newport has changed in the video below:Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “This has been a complex scheme so I’m delighted that work is now set to begin.
"This will make a huge difference to part of the city centre, benefiting not only the businesses in the arcade but those in the surrounding area.
"Importantly, we will also be helping to protect an important part of the city’s heritage.
"I would like to thank all those involved, especially council officers, for working so hard to make this possible.
Cllr Mudd added: "I would also like to thank the Heritage Fund for backing our vision and, of course, lottery players who contribute to the fund as well as members of the community who have been involved in the project.”
Specialist contractors Anthony A Davies – the same firm that worked on the Newbridge Memorial Hall – are carrying out the work, and heritage specialists Davies Sutton are the architects.
