There was music, balloons and fanfare as the newly refurbished Newport market opened on Thursday. The historic market has been closed for the past year and a half as it underwent a major redevelopment worth between five and six million pounds.
Crowds gathered on High Street on Thursday morning to watch council leader Jane Mudd cut the ribbon on the largest market development in Europe which includes a food court and bar on the ground floor, 70 workspaces, refurbished market stalls, a gym and a rooftop garden.
There was much excitement inside where people were shown around the gleaming new market stalls and vendors began churning out some of their first meals of the day. With a host of new names like Seven Lucky Gods, Meat & Greek and Flour & Ash adding to returning favourites like Friendly Neighbourhood Comics and Rae Barton Fruit and Veg, there's plenty to eat, drink and explore over the coming weeks in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated projects in Newport's history.
Read more: The impressive pictures that show just how good Newport Market looks after huge refurbishment.
Cutting the ribbon, council leader Jane Mudd said it was a “fantastic” day for Newport, praising the “creativity” of developers Loft Co - also behind the likes of Tramshed and Goodsheds - and added that the market “is for everyone.”
WalesOnline went to visit the new market on Thursday, where we met some of the new traders and (more importantly!) got to taste some of the great food and drink on offer. Here's our verdict on what we saw and did and a full list of the traders who now call Newport Market their home.
Food and drink
Friends in Knead
Popular Cardiff bakery Friends in Knead recently opened their latest location in Castle Arcade, adding to their existing shops in Roath and Barry.The bakery has some incredible cakes and pastries and we picked up a biscoff dirty bun on our walk through.
True to form, it was sweet and flakey, with a powerful hit of cinnamon, a satisfying crunch and plenty of sugary indulgence. Find out more about them here.
Meat and Greek
Greek is always one of my go-tos, and I was really excited to hear Meat and Greek were coming to Newport. I tried the pork souvlaki pitta for £9 and although the price was slightly high, it was made up for by a colossal sized pitta filled with delicious pork meat, hummus, lettuce, onion, cucumber and tomato.
The food was well cooked and fresh and the wrap was gloriously filled to the point where it ended up falling apart in my hands, leaving me with some tasty chunks of pork and veg to scoop up with my fork at the end.
Meat & Greek are a Cardiff based Greek-Cypriot family who are opening in the market having taken their food around markets and festivals since beginning in the Welsh capital back in 2014. They also have a stall in Goodsheds in Barry. Find out more here.
Dirty Gnocchi
Italian street food vendor Dirty Gnocchi are well-known around the likes of Corporation Yard and other south Wales sites for their deep-fried gnocchi, homemade pasta, giant cheese wheel and arancini.
We tried the dirty vegan gnocchi, which was deliciously crisp on the outside but chewy in the middle. The vegan cheese and the facon (fake bacon) was excellent and the portion was huge. It cost £8.95 which was great value considering the size and the taste of the dish. Find out more about them here.
SUPA Thai vegan
We tried the spring rolls. They were fresh and crispy and you could taste all of the veg inside. They came topped with hot sauce, mayonnaise, and spring onion. For £5.50 you got six pieces which was great value.
Boasting "100% vegan Thai comfort food from Bangkok to Newport", SUPA Thai Vegan run collections and delivery but their market stall is their first physical outlet. Find out more about them here.
The Greedy Bear
Based in Cardiff's popular DEPOT, The Greedy Bear specialises in pan-Asian-inspired burgers and baos, and offers rice bowls, noodles and small plates from their new stall in Newport.
On Thursday we tried the Thai chicken bao for £5, which had Tonkatsu fried chicken, Asian pickles, sesame seeds, red chillies and kewpie mayo.
The bao was soft and pillowy, as the best baos should be, and the fried chicken was juicy and satisfying with the pickles adding good texture and the chillies offering a much-needed kick. Find out more about them here.
Vin Van Cymru
Independent business Vin Van Cymru specialises in wine including delivery and tasting events, and have announced a wine shop and tasting room in the market. Check out more here.
Bossman's Sweets
Selling sweets and treats from locations all over the world, Bossman's Sweets recently opened on Whitchurch Road in Cardiff, and having already garnered a following in Newport where they were based on Caerleon Road, they'll be another sure hit in the market. Find out more here.
Castle Farm Shop
Kevin Rickard's Castle Farm Shop has come a long way since its owner started delivering fresh fruit, veg and meat to people during the early months of the pandemic. The shop has gone from strength to strength since opening its original farm shop in Castleton. It opened its first physical shop in the Kingsway, and is now opening in the market. Check them out here.
Sheffs
With locations around south Wales, Sheffs boast "award-winning" fudge and shortbread and have been going since 2019. They also offer doughnuts, cakes, sandwiches, pasties and more. Find out more about them here.
Rogue Welsh Cake Company
Mother-son business the Rogue Welsh Cake Company from Penarth are billed as offering "Welsh cakes but with a twist", from chocolate and salted caramel to cheese and leek. They are regularly found in markets across south Wales and said they were making their "biggest leap so far" by opening in the market. Find out more about them here.
Rae Barton Fruit and Veg
Richard Soar runs Rae Barton Fruit & Veg, which has been a mainstay in the market for more than 100 years. The stall's return to the revamped market was announced back in October, and Richard said at the time that Newport market "has always been like a little family, and I think with all the new and returning businesses it’ll be like that again.
"When we re-open, we’ll be looking at our opening hours and hopefully take advantage of the longer hours." Find out more here.
Deli Bach
Llandaff-based Deli Bach serve up exclusively Welsh produce and their second store, based in the market, sells Welsh food and drink including cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer, chocolate and much more. Learn more about them here.
Newport Distillery
Paul and Julie Miller set up the Cardiff Distillery in 2019 and have launched the Newport Distillery at the market, with a double storefront selling bottles of their distilled products, as well as offering gin schools and tasting sessions. Find out more about them here.
Academy coffee & cocktail bar
Academy Coffee already have a number of locations such as Academy@Platform in Cardiff, and Academy Espresso Bar and Academy 297 rooftop bar, both in Barry. Their latest venture is a coffee and cocktail bar in Newport Market. Find out more about them here.
The Cheesecake Guy
Based in Merthyr Tydfil, The Cheesecake Guy has opened their second shop to be located in Newport Market, where you can get a range of cookie dough, cheesecake jars, milk bottles and waffles. Find out more about them here.
Banh Wagon
Banh Wagon offer Vietnamese Bánh mì sandwiches, rice bowls and other dishes and are opening for the first time in Newport in addition to their regular appearances around Bristol. Find out more here.
Flour and Ash
Based in Bristol, Flour & Ash have earned rave reviews for their wood-fired sourdough pizza since opening on Whiteladies Road in 2014, including from journalist and food critic Jay Rayner. Their stall in the market is their first in Newport, and you can find out more about them here.
Tasty Peninsula
Tasty Peninsula offers Malaysian inspired food and cocktails with a sustainable and ethical ethos. Their market stall is in addition to their recently-opened outlet in Barry's Goodsheds. Find out more here.
Burger Boyz
Based in the Red Lion in Port Talbot, Burger Boyz offers a range of mouth-watering smash patties, wings, loaded fries and shakes. Check them out here.
Seven Lucky Gods
One of the most high-profile names to join the market, Bristol-based Seven Lucky Gods offers contemporary Japanese-inspired cuisine like sushi, Asian-themed small plates and drinks. From the team behind Hyde & Co, The Milk Thistle, The Ox, Bambalan and Four Wise Monkeys, the outlet opens in Newport for the first time. Find out more about them here.
Jamiesons Juice Factory
One of the market's newest businesses, Jamieson's started this year and sells a range of smoothies, organic juices, sandwiches and plant-based food. You can find out more about them here.
Shops
Mr and Mrs Clarke
Newport-based for many years, Mr and Mrs Clarke call themselves a "discerningly different" estate agents offering some of the quirkiest homes on the market. You can find their office in the market from March 19 - find out more here.
The Elephant's Ear
Houseplants are all the rage right now, and Cardiff-based independent plant shop The Elephant's Ear are moving into the market joining existing offerings in the city like Nettle & Bark. Find out more here.
Younique Essentials
Holistic materials store Younique is often seen around craft fairs and markets selling everything from books to incense and bath bombs. Their new market stall sells the likes of message stones, bath bombs, aroma diffusers and much more. Find out more here.
City Treasures
Currently located on Commercial Street, City Treasures are the market's go-to for "hidden treasures from the past" including toy cars, dolls, ornaments and crockery. Check them out here.
Dolce Beauty
Beauty outlet Dolce Beauty offer expertise in lashes, eyebrow and threading and facials. Find out more about them here.
Pure Pets Newport
Newport-based pet supplies business Pure Pets launched as an online-only business back in July 2020, and offer natural products for pets, pet supplies and personal gifts. Check them out here.
Dorothy Seed
A florist has been a traditional element of many markets, Newport included, and florist Dorothy Seed is helping to ensure the market blends old and new by taking up a stall there. Find out more here. Dorothy Seed uses British flowers and avoid imports where possible.
On the Dorothy Seed website, owner Dorina said: "As well as having fresh and dried flowers at our stall in Newport Market, we create bespoke arrangements, for special occasions or even just to brighten up your home! Please come and visit us at the shop, or contact us by phone or email to talk about any ideas."
Eco Earth Market
Sustainable offerings are become ever more important to cities and towns, and Wales-based online business Eco Earth Market are a welcome addition to Newport with its selection of sustainable and natural soaps, deodorants and more. Find out more here.
Friendly Neighbourhood Comics
Tim Rees started running Friendly Neighbourhood Comics at the market in November 2017. He has been running his business from home and online since the refurbishment and the pandemic, and in October he said he was excited to return to the market.
"I’ve always been 100% behind the development. The potential is enormous," he said. "I see what is happening as not just a physical regeneration but the rebirth of the market for the 21st century, and being part of it is an amazing opportunity for me." Find out more here.
N Scent's Candles and Gifts
N Scent's sells handmade candles and wax melts using 100% soy wax and you can check them out here. All of their candles are free from paraffin and dye. All products are also 100% vegan.
On the website, they say: "Our candles are handmade and made with love. We believe that every candle is as special as the last. We take pride in supplying high quality, scented candles and wax melts for people to enjoy."
Ashwell & Co
Bristol-based couple Kate and Will Ashwell have been running Heartfelt Vintage, recently rebranded as Ashwell & Co, since 2014. Their Clifton shop combines a popular tearoom run by baker Will, and vintage fashion and bridalwear with Kate in charge.
Announced for the market back in October, Kate said opening a shop in the market "makes a lot of sense".
"We wanted our next shop to be somewhere in the centre of things and that is what we will have at the market."
Be Flawless by Sarah
Beauty business Be Flawless by Sarah are your one-stop shop for semi-permanent lashes, nails, spray tans, waxing and more. Check them out here.
Little Acorns at Home
Home decor and lifestyle store Little Acorns at Home offer "all the new season's trends in homeware" and are opening in their hometown with a range of home gifts, wall signs, cups, glasses and more. Check them out here where you'll find everything from flower pots to candles and China trinket dishes.
Imagenation
Imagenation is a print shop offering a range of wall prints in various unique styles, filling a much-needed gap in the craft side of things in the market. They offer the likes of location designs, pet portraits, event invites, and detailed personalised illustrations of people
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