Murder investigation, man arrested
July 18 – Police are appealing for information including dashcam or doorbell footage after the death of a woman in Newport.
Officers from Gwent Police, including specially trained firearms officers, attended a report of an altercation outside a property in St Vincent Road near to Rodney Parade in Newport, in the early hours of Saturday 18th July.
A woman, who has not been formally identified, was pronounced dead by paramedics a short distance away, near Chepstow Road. Her family has been informed.
A 66-year-old man from Newport, is currently in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.
Chief Superintendent John Davies said: “We understand that reports of this nature are deeply unsettling and distressing for our communities. A man, who was arrested at the scene, is currently in police custody, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.
Arrest following vandalism at constituency office
July 16 – Natasha Ashgar Conservative MS has posted pictures of a window at her Serpentine Road office shattered by a large rock. She stated she would carry on doing her job irrespective of such threats. The incident occurred at 11.55pm on Tuesday night. It later emerged that this was an act of vandalism.
Gwent Police stated “A 47-year-old Newport man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and released under investigation. He later admitted responsibility and has received a community resolution; the report is not viewed as politically motivated.”
Cocaine drugs gang receive long sentences
July 16 – Four members of an organised crime gang who trafficked cocaine in Newport and south Wales have received a combined jail term of 28-and-a-half years.Jerome Winter, 25, Sharif Rahman, 29, Armani Brown, 27, and Saif Ali, 29, were sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court on Wednesday 15 July.
Gwent Police’s serious and organised crime unit carried out early-morning warrants at addresses in Newport and Cwmbran on 16 January this year.During the raids, they recovered cocaine, crack cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of around £17,460. They also seized almost £9,000 cash, mobile phones, electronic devices and designer clothes.
All those sentenced were from Newport. Winter and Rahman were sentenced to eight years imprisonment. Brown, was given seven years and two months. Ali received five years and four months.
Additional funding for big city events
July 15 – Newport’s annual food festival and winter wonderland will be among the events boosted by another £250,000 investment, the city council’s leader has announced.
Newport Food Festival returns to the city on the 3 October 2026. In addition to the traditional food market on High Street and surrounding areas, there will once again be street food stalls in John Frost Square where you can sit back, enjoy some delicious food and listen to live music.
Last year’s Winter Wonderland was between 21 November and 4 January. The funding will also go towards the Urban Beach in John Frost Square. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday July 8, Cllr Dimitri Batrouni said the local authority would make a series of “one-off investments” funded by an underspend in last year’s budget.
The £250,000 is “initial” funding for the council’s “big” upcoming events programme in the city centre and other parts of Newport, he said.
Police charge eight following sex abuse investigation
July 15 – Eight men have been charged with more than 30 offences as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual exploitation.Detectives from Gwent Police carried out a targeted operation on 14 July to arrest the men which included activity in Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and the Argyll and Bute area in Scotland.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised 34 charges which includes 17 counts of rape some of which relate to multiple incidents of rape. Operation Oak is our investigation into reports made by a number of women of sexual abuse committed against them as children between 1985 and 1996.
The charges relate to eight victims who were children at the time of the alleged offences.The men, aged 54 to 73, are all British citizens and are bailed to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 July.
Summer surface treatment plan for key roads
July 13 – In addition to full resurfacing the City Council will be carrying out surface treatment on the following roads –
• A468 Caerphilly Road (20MPH at Rhiwderin to Ffos-Y-Fern Junction)
• A468 Caerphilly Road (Machen Farm to Railway Overbridge)
• A48 Chepstow Road (from entrance to The Learning Tree Day Nursery to Old Chepstow Road junction)
• A48 Chepstow Road (from Magor Road junction to junction Pencoed Lane)
• A48 Newport Road (Coach & Horses entrance to the Boundary)
• B4237 The Coldra (no.57 to no.11 The Coldra)
• B4245 Magor Road (part)
• B4596 Caerleon Road (Caerleon Bridge to no.574 Caerleon Road)
• Caerleon Road (Church Road junction to Richmond Road)
• Catsash Road (junction Belmont Hill to Old Roman Road junction)
• Goldcliff Road and Nash Road (From junction with Meadows Road)
• North Row (junction Green Street to junction Cock Street)
• Old Roman Road (Catsash Road junction to Tregarn Road junction)
• Ridgeway and Allt-Yr-Yn Avenue
• Usk Road, Caerleon (from junction B4236 Mill Street to the boundary)
The surface treatment work is about protecting more of the roads for longer. The roads which require surface treatment are in a better condition than those that require full resurfacing. This preventative work will ensure that they remain in good condition for longer, and mean they do not come to require full resurfacing work.
This work has been scheduled to take place over the summer as the treatments require warm dry weather. To maximise efficiencies, the work will be done in one block.
Llanwern steelworks rises to unexpected new challenge
July 11 – Llanwern steelworks has risen to an unexpected new challenge following the major fire at Port Talbot in early June.
The fire in early June caused significant damage to a critical processing line and could have had a major impact on the business. But thanks to a huge team effort, production is already up and running at the sister plant at Llanwern, helping Tata Steel continue to support customers while plans for the new pickle line at Port Talbot move forward at pace as the steelworks transitions to an electric arc production base. Fortunately, Llanwern had a mirror facility enabling the pickle line facility to continue to run with 180 employees relocating there from Port Talbot. It is clear this will be now be required for some time.
For Craig Phillips, Works Manager for Llanwern and Port Talbot Cold Rolled Products, the response has been nothing short of outstanding.
“The response from the teams in Port Talbot was absolutely phenomenal. The most important thing was making sure everyone was safe.”
With the Port Talbot Pickle Line out of action, the focus quickly turned to Llanwern. The Pickle Line there had been processing around 70,000 tonnes a year, but is now being prepared to handle more than one million tonnes annually. At the same time, Llanwern’s five-stand cold rolling mill has been brought back into service after being mothballed since last October.
Disqualified driver imprisoned
July 11 – A disqualified driver was filmed riding a Sur-Ron e-bike dangerously and then throwing the machine off Newport’s Town Bridge into the River Usk.
A crew from the National Police Air Service (NPAS), working in partnership with Gwent Police, captured Owen Pendree driving dangerously on Corporation Road, Newport, on Tuesday 30 June. He was stopped and arrested on the bridge near Clarence Place.
Pendree, 32, from Newport, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without insurance at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 1 July.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for three-and-a-half years and will need to pass an extended test.
Police attended an address in St. Edward Street Newport following reports of threatening behaviour on Friday night. During their response, a 21-year-old Newport man was shot by officers with a police-issued firearm as he was thought to be carrying a crossbow. The man received first aid at the scene, and was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.
Deputy Chief Constable Nicholas McLain said:“We understand the concern that this matter may cause within our communities, but there is no ongoing risk to the public as this is an isolated incident. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.”
Police begin city centre patrol but is it just short term?
July 7 – Gwent Police has made a concession to the grave concerns about ongoing anti social activity and crime in Newport city centre by beginning a night time patrol.
They say “Following concerns raised by local residents and businesses in Newport City Centre the Neighbourhood Team have been patrolling the City Centre this evening in particular paying attention to the bus stations. Please feel free to approach us and discuss any concerns or issues you have about the area whilst we are on patrol as we are here to help.”
Comment – Newport is the capital city of Gwent, it needs a reassuring presence in the city centre. This should be a permanent measure.
July 8 update – Officers investigating reported burglaries at the Kingsway Centre, Newport, in June arrested a 33-year-old man.
Garth Morgan, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of burglary with intent to steal. He was also charged with using threatening/abusive words/behaviour and obstructing/resisting a constable. Morgan appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 4 July.
He was released on conditional bail to appear at crown court on Friday 31 July.
Sort out ALN funding urgently - MS
July 7 – Lynne Neagle, Labour MS, has called for the Welsh Government to allocate much needed funding from the UK Government to special needs education in Welsh schools including those in Newport. It is claimed that £340 million allocated by Westminster has yet to be allocated in Wales despite many schools struggling to fund this provision or with debts created by the cost of it. She said: “It is astounding that the Plaid Cymru Government are not giving any extra support to these children.” In Newport 1,870 pupils have been identified as having Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
All 22 local authorities in Wales, alongside every teaching union in the country, have urged the government to direct the funding to schools. The Welsh Government claim the funding of this provision is not specifically ring fenced for ALN and Welsh schools do not carry the same level of debt as in England.
Additional learning needs, often referred to as ‘ALN’, is a term used to describe learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for a child to learn compared to children of the same age.
Within the classroom, some different teaching styles are required and more widely support mechanisms may be needed.
Call to re-open Royal Gwent A&E service
July 6 – Peter Fox, the Conservative health spokesperson in the Senedd has called for the re-opening of the accident and emergency service at the Royal Gwent. He has pointed out that the Grange serves 20 per cent of the Welsh population and its services are inadequate often leading to long wait times. He has consistently pressured the Welsh Government to reopen the A&E to ease backlogs at the Grange Hospital.
Another retail burglar charged and in court
July 6 – Gwent Police has charged a man with five counts of burglary following reports of commercial premises being targeted across Newport.
Officers investigating the reported break-ins in Commercial Street, Orb Drive, Newport Retail Park and Mendalgief Retail Park arrested the 48-year-old man on suspicion of five counts of burglary and four counts of theft.
Luke Griffin, of Haford, Swansea, was charged with these offences.
Griffin appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday 6 July when he was remanded into custody.
City centre burglary suspect charged
July 1 – Gwent Police has arrested and charged a man following an investigation into a spate of city centre burglaries. Neighbourhood officers investigating the series of break-ins arrested the 33-year-old Newport man on suspicion of multiple burglary offences on Monday 29 June.
Rory Hiscox, of Chepstow Road in Newport, was subsequently charged with seven counts of burglary and one count of theft from a shop – with the reported offences taking place between 15 May – 26 June.
Hiscox appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Wednesday 1 July, when he was remanded into custody.
Superintendent Esyr Jones, Neighbourhood Policing for Gwent, said:
“I want to reassure all businesses, shoppers and residents in Newport that we’re continuing to listen to your concerns.
“We’re working with businesses in the city centre to help make their premises more secure, and provide them with crime prevention and security advice.
“We’re also carrying out a range of visible and covert operations to target offenders and increase safety across the city.
“These operations are often helped by information the public provides us, including the recent arrest of Hiscox in Newport, so we’d continue to ask the public to report their concerns to us so we can act and put plans in place to address the problem head-on.”
Planning update
Jun 30 – Long delayed planning applications seems to be progressing after significant alterations to delivery times. A year later than planned Hedyn is set to start work on the 80 property The Crescent at Monkey Island near the VW Garage. In addition, conditions have been discharged on the 149 unit site at East Dock Road. The former Newport Tax Office in Clarence Place is also being developed in to 56 units and set to start soon. Progress is well under way on the new Newport Leisure Centre with opening scheduled for later in 2026. Major new housing areas in Glan Llyn and Llanwern are progressing too. Work is nearing completion on the new Aldi supermarket in Maesglas and underway on the new Lidl store in Glan Llyn.
Bron Afon Community Housing has started work on building 30 brand new, energy-efficient, affordable apartments in Newport. The development at Kelvedon Street is the organisation’s first scheme in Newport. It is also their second scheme outside of Torfaen.
Bryant presses Minister on M4 plans
June 27 – Jayne Bryant, Labour MS, has warned the Welsh Government that plans to shut junctions or use existing roads to relieve M4 congestion will cause gridlock in Newport. She told Plaid Cymru’s Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper “As a local resident, I know all too well that every time there’s an accident or congestion at the Brynglas tunnels, motorway traffic from the M4 is pushed onto our local roads. This creates gridlock, choking the city of Newport and moves air pollution closer to homes and schools.”
Hooper stated that a new relief road has been ruled out and that an announcement on options would be made later in the month. The options include increased use of the SDR. Council leader Dimitri Batrouni stated “By refusing to rule out the ‘Blue route’ and junction closures, Plaid Cymru will penalise local people.”
Police apprehend Morrisons’ burglary suspect
June 26 – Police officers carried out a successful dedicated operation at the Morrisons supermarket in Lliswerry this week.
On late Wednesday night, into Thursday morning they arrested a 42-year-old Newport man on suspicion of burglary. He was apprehended at 3.15 am.
David Francis, of no fixed abode, has since been charged with the offence and is due to appear at Newport Magistrates’ Court this morning (26 June).
Temperatures expected to peak today
June 25 – Temperatures are expected to peak today in the latest heatwave to affect the UK. Temperatures reached over 33 degrees Celsius in Newport yesterday but are forecast to rise above 35 degrees today before dropping back below 30 tomorrow. Humidity is forecast to rise to 85 per cent. The UK’s highest temperature in June was achieved yesterday in Hampshire (36.1 degrees).
The Aneurin Bevan Health Board declared a critical incident on Tuesday night. It is in force throughout today. They stated “We have taken this decision as our services are currently experiencing exceptional demand across our hospitals due to a combination of increased emergency attendances of sick patients with heat-related symptoms, being unable to safely care for patients in some areas of our hospitals that are not air-conditioned, and the high number of patients who are awaiting discharge, along with staffing difficulties due to school closures over the coming days.”
Four more charged in Alway murder case
June 24 – Four more people have been charged in connection with the murder investigation into the deaths of two teenagers in Alway on May 7.
Yonis Zaid, 18, Ella Persse, 21, Montaser Yafai, 23, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 23, charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Red extreme heat warning preparations under way
June 23 – The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for large parts of central southern England and south east Wales including Newport. The warning is in place from early tomorrow until late on Thursday with temperatures potentially reaching over 35 degrees centigrade.
The City Council has confirmed preparations are under way to curtail or change services due to the extreme weather. For the safety and comfort of visitors, Newport Museum, Art Gallery and Central Library in John Frost Square will be closed today, Wednesday and Thursday due to the expected extremely high temperatures.
Staff will be working online and will be able to respond to enquiries via email and phone.
Branch libraries that are due to open today will operate as normal but will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
All health visiting groups and baby well being clinics on Wednesday and Thursday are cancelled.
Refuse collection and recycling crews will be starting work from 5am instead of 6am during this period.
Newport Bus state “With high temperature and humidity currently forecast, the safety of our customers and colleagues will remain our top priority.Throughout the day we will be closely monitoring conditions and based on advice from stakeholders may need to make operational decisions to help keep everyone safe. This could result in some service alterations, delays or short notice disruptions.” They ask customers to stay properly hydrated and to contact their driver if they feel unwell.
Many schools in Newport are expected to close. Head Teachers are being asked to decide on any closures individually. Caerleon Comp, Newport High, St Joseph’s RC, Llanwern High, Glan Usk Primary, Milton are among those already confirmed as reverting to distance learning.Sports events and school fetes have been postponed.
Transport for Wales and GWR state that services in the red warning area will be subject to alteration. There are major events throughout the period most notably at Bute Park in Cardiff.
Business rates boost for city centre businesses
June 18 – Newport City Council’s Cabinet has confirmed their intention to extend the business rates 25 per cent discount on city centre businesses in the current financial year. The matter will be voted on by the full Council in early July.
MP recognised in Birthday Honours
June 15 – Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East, was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. She was made a Dame.
She has represented Newport East in Parliament since 2005. Widely regarded as a diligent constituency MP with a low-profile but influential style, she has built a reputation for organisation, party management and advocacy on local industrial and community issues rather than media prominence. Since 2024 she has served as Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, acting as the principal link between Labour MPs and the party leadership.
City solar installations up by 120 per cent
June 9 – Household solar and battery installations have increased by over 120 per cent in Newport when compared to last year. Figures registered during April 2026 under the Microgeneration Certificate Scheme show there were 142 installations in the month. In the same period in 2025 there were 64 installations. The increase here is reflected across the UK as interest in renewables surges due to the impact on energy prices of the US/Israel war in Iran. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “The numbers speak for themselves – the highest monthly installation of solar in over a decade, rising capacity and more than 2 million solar installations now powering homes across Britain.”
Savings can be achieved from solar by offsetting it against electricity required by a home, exporting excess power to the grid and storing off peak power from the grid on a home battery. Typical export rates vary between 10 and 13p per kWh. A small 4 kW set up can produce up to 70 per cent of a standard household’s electricity needs.
Solar energy (commercial and residential) has contributed 7 per cent of the UK’s power needs in the past year, 35 per cent comes from wind power, 26 per cent from gas and 13 per cent from nuclear power. Solar’s contribution is on the increase with record amounts of output being achieved in the last few months.
Plaid rules out relief road but what’s next
June 9 – After flirting with the idea during the Senedd election campaign the new Welsh Government has ruled out reviving the M4 relief road. Instead Transport Secretary Mark Hooper announced “a short, focused programme of work to explore realistic options across road, rail and bus interventions”, drawing on existing analysis rather than commissioning a new review. Jayne Bryant, Labour MS, warned Plaid that sending more traffic down local roads such as the A4810 / Queensway Meadows Road was not the answer to congestion on the M4.
City Council leader Dimitri Batrouni stated on X “Given Plaid Cymru’s announcement of a review of the M4, I want to it make clear our opposition to any motorway junction closures and diversion of significant volumes of M4 traffic through Queens way & Meadows, the SDR, and the communities of Lliswerry, Pill, Maesglas & Duffryn.”
Council responds to demand for new allotments
June 6 – To meet a growing demand for plots, the City Council is proposing to set up new allotment sites. There are currently 22 allotments across the Newport area.
Eight potential sites are under consideration. They are:
• Larch Grove
• Russell Drive
• Oliphant Crescent
• Bettws Hill (Thames Close/Humber Close/Humber Road)
• Groes Road/Ruskin Avenue
• Centurion Gate/Cambria Close
• Hillview Crescent
• Christchurch Road
Allotment rents (admin charge per plot) are £39.66 per annum. Some allotment sites in Newport (such as the popular CaePerllan Road site) are managed independently by committees or community groups. Demand for allotments has increased across the UK. Many councils are now subdividing standard plots to meet this demand and accommodate beginners.
Key link road to be closed for nine weeks
June 6 – Somerton Road will be closed for nine weeks from June 8 due to work to replace the gas main by British Gas.
The work will affect the section of road from the Cross Hands to Somerton Railway Bridge. Bus routes 5, 74 and 74C will be diverted during this period.
Body of missing man found
June 2 – The body of missing man, Callum Harris, aged 26 has been found in a building in Chepstow Road and formally identified. He was reported missing on May 8, police launched a public appeal on May 12. Gwent Police state “His family has been informed, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time”.
ALDI begins recruitment for new store
June 1 – German supermarket giant, ALDI, has started the recruitment process for its new store on the East Retail Park. The new store involves the combination of two premises on the retail park. It will create 40 jobs. 35 posts are currently being advertised. Posts include Store Assistants, Stock Assistants, and Store Cleaners with pay rates between £13.12 and £14.47 per hour.
Elsewhere The Works has opened a new store at Newport Retail Park in the former Clintons’ store, creating six jobs. In the city centre the former Clark’s shoe shop on Commercial Street is being converted into a Betfred betting shop. The new indoor market concept at the Kingsway had its first weekend run last weekend.
Burglar caught in the act
May 31 – During a plain-clothed operation on Saturday 30 May, neighbourhood officers investigating a report of a burglary and multiple thefts in the Newport area arrested a man in Tandem Mill Road, Glan Llyn, Llanwern, at around 9.20pm.
The 45-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary, three counts of theft from a shop, and theft from a motor vehicle.
He was also arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation and failing to attend following a test for presence of class A drugs.
The man, from the Torfaen area, was charged with these offences and remanded into police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Monday 1 June.
Pubs announce opening dates following refurbs
May 28 – Popular Newport pubs have announced their opening dates following significant refurbishments. The Rose Inn in Redwick will re-open on June 1st. The landlords are re-locating from the Boar’s Head in Aust where they received very good reviews for their food. They will offer a similar menu at the Rose Inn together with a range of cask ales and lagers including Redwick’s own community beer. The children’s play facility is replaced by a bouncy castle. The Man of Gwent on Chepstow Road will re-open on June 12 after a complete update. The Flaming Grill will offer the same value based pub grub plus new television screens and the best of Sky Sports/TNT and will open in time for the best of the World Cup!
Elsewhere….The Tredegar Arms in Bassaleg re-opened its doors to the public in December. The pub had been temporarily closed following a fire that damaged the building in May 2025. The Ridgeway in Allt-yr-yn re-opened on Good Friday as part of a soft launch. The Llanwern Bull in Glan Llyn was also refurbished in November.
Wedding and event hire plan for Boss Park
May 26 – City planners are being asked to consider a unique scheme to convert an unoccupied office building. Boss Park is on Esperanto Way near to Corporation Road’s industrial estates. It has been empty since 2020.
The building is arranged in two wings around a central atrium over four storeys. The ground floor is utilised for undercroft car parking. Internally, the offices contain a mixture of open plan, cellular and meeting room accommodation.
The tenant, Two25 Luxe Events, seeks to provide a versatile, high-quality events space for weddings,
functions, community groups, meetings, workshops, social gatherings, cultural events and group exercise and fitness instruction classes, in response to the increasing demand for modern events facilities within the area.
Corporation Road re-surfacing to start
May 26 – Newport City Council will be carrying out resurfacing work on Corporation Road over the next two weeks starting today as part of their Fixing Our Roads programme.
The work will take place in two phases:
- Phase 1 – Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May
- Phase 2 – Monday 1 June to Friday 5 June
There will be no work over the weekend of 30-31 May. Work will take place overnight, starting at 9pm and ending at 5.45am the following morning.
During phase 1 they will be resurfacing Corporation Road from its junction with Cromwell Road and Gaskell Street, down to the junction with Jenkins Street. Phase 2 is further along Corporation Road, between Jenkins Street and Magor Street.
Severn Tunnel closed for sixteen days due to upgrade
May 23 – The railway will be closed between Newport and Bristol Parkway from Saturday 23 May until the end of Monday 8 June, reopening on the morning of Tuesday 9 June.
- Replacement bus services will run between Newport and Bristol Parkway
- Some trains will operate between London and South Wales via Gloucester (except Sunday 24 May)
- A reduced service will run between London Paddington and Bristol Parkway
- On Sunday 24 May, trains will not divert via Gloucester, with services operating only between Paddington and Bristol Parkway, and Newport and Swansea
Passengers are strongly advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys. Network Rail stated “Alongside this, we’re also renewing track that will serve the new Bristol Brabazon station, which will bring passenger services back to the Henbury and Portishead lines for the first time in over 60 years, supporting local communities and economic growth. The station is due to open later this year and will bring passenger services back to the Henbury line for the first time since 1964.”
New Tory councillor suspended
May 21 – Conservative councillor Nick Baneswell has been suspended by the Party following revelations he appeared in a Channel 4 documentary about ‘serial dads’. The Nation Cymru investigation has led to calls for him to stand down despite being elected only two weeks ago.
An official spokesperson for the Welsh Conservative Party said: “Nick has been suspended from the Conservative Party pending an investigation. As this is an ongoing and confidential process, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
MP silent on leadership coup against PM
May 17 – Newport East MP Jess Morden has remained silent on the leadership coup against Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Over 150 MPs have expressed support for the Prime Minister but this does not include his former Parliamentary Private Secretary / current Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The attempted coup by Health Secretary Wes Streeting failed to materialise as he did not produce the numbers necessary for a leadership challenge. His resignation this week came in an atmosphere of collective navel gazing from Labour MPs akin to the chaos of the Tory years, during which Prime Ministers’ were changed with frightening regularity.
Construction of Glan Llyn Lidl to start
May 15 – Construction of the new Lidl store at Glan Llyn is set to start shortly with an opening date in early 2027. The new store will feature a 1,334 square metres sales area with a bakery , electric vehicle charging will be available and energy to the building supplied by roof mounted solar panels. Lidl say it will create 40 new jobs forming part of a retail area on the site also including a nursery and coffee shop.
Tories face questions about new councillor
May 14 – Newport Conservatives are facing significant questions about their vetting procedures following the election of Rogerstone North councillor Nick Baneswell.
The online news channel, Nation Cymru, has revealed that he appeared in a Channel 4 documentary in 2021 using the name Nick Portman. In the documentary about so-called ‘serial dads’ they state he “he boasted to cameras that he had “never carried a condom” in his life as he discussed being a father of ten children and grandfather to three grandchildren from relationships with five different women.”
The programme also covers his relationship with his current partner and the staff at a pub he was managing. It featured Mr Baneswell’s 20-year-old fiancé Lauren who he had met when she was just 17-years-old. He was 47 at the time of the documentary.You can watch it here
Nation Cymru has asked the Conservatives, without response, if they were aware of the documentary and whether Baneswell has been appropriately vetted.
Murder charge following crash
May 11 – Two men have appeared in court charged with murder after a crash involving a BMW and a motorbike last week.Emergency services were called to the incident in Aberthaw Road, Alway, in the early hours of Thursday.
Jaydon Bowyer, 19, and Tashay Canoville, 16, the driver and pillion passenger of the motorbike, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Terell Case, 18, of Sandpiper Way, Duffryn, Newport, and Joshua Williams, 34, of no fixed abode, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court today charged with murder.
May 12 update – Case and Williams appeared at Cardiff Crown Court charged with murder. In a short hearing lasting less than 10 minutes, both defendants spoke only to confirm their name, address and date of birth. No pleas were entered, and the defendants will next appear in court on 22 June.
Reform top Senedd poll locally
May 8 – Reform, the populist far right party, topped the poll in the Casnewydd and Islwyn constituency at the Senedd elections. In the six member constituency 2 Reform, 2 Plaid Cymru, 1 Labour and 1 Conservatives were elected. Vote percentages were as follows – Reform 32.9, Plaid 29.7, Labour 13.7, Conservatives 11.4, Green 7.6, Lib Dem 3.5, others 1.3. Votes cast – 77,698. In the Rogerstone North by election for the City Council ward the Conservatives retained it with Nick Baneswell elected to the seat
Pub to be replaced by expanded hotel
May 1 – The Coldra Beefeater public house is to be closed and the site remodelled into an expanded Premier Inn hotel. Owners Whitbread have announced plans to close their separate branded pubs as they expand their adjacent hotel provision and provide integrated food and drink offerings.
Whitbread had started converting some of its underperforming Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants into hotel rooms and now intends to continue the policy across the remaining 197 restaurants.
Police officer borrows bike to chase down suspect
Apr 30 – A police officer borrowed a bicycle from a member of the public last night to arrest a suspect in a burglary investigation in Newport city centre. At around 10.30pm on Wednesday 29 April, Gwent Police officers on foot patrol in the city centre were stopped by a man who reported that two people had forced entry to a shop on Commercial Street. One of the officers borrowed a bike to chase down the suspect.
Separately, a man has appeared in court charged with burglary following reported break-ins in Newport earlier this month. Officers received reports of burglary at commercial addresses in High Street on 17 April, and Clarence Place and Rodney Road, both on 19 April.
Police had previously received reports of theft from commercial addresses in High Street on 16 March, Caerleon Road on 25 March, and Pontymister Industrial Estate, Risca, on 2 April. A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of burglary and three counts of theft from a shop.
The man has been charged with these offences and appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 April when he was remanded into custody.
Ship fire contained
Apr 26 – A fire which broke out on a ship carrying 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal has been contained, but crews remain on site.
Fire crews were called to Newport Docks at about 05:40 BST on Sunday after the blaze broke out on the vessel Nord Houston, which was docked there. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said there were appliances from several local fire stations on site on Sunday afternoon, with crews set to remain there into Monday to “ensure there is no reignition”.
The cause of the fire is unknown and there is no risk to the public, according to officials, and operations are being safely scaled back.
SWFRS added it was working with Associated British Ports, harbour authorities, Natural Resources Wales, the police and Newport council to assess any potential environmental impact.
E-bikes seized
Apr 20 – Neighbourhood officers in Newport made an arrest, seized two Sur-Ron bikes, an e-bike and recovered a stolen moped during a proactive operation in the east of the city.
A fixed-wing plane from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) supported officers for Operation Harley, which tackles the illegal use of off-road bikes, on Sunday 5 April.
Officers arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously, concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, and possession of criminal property. They later searched an address in the Beechwood area, recovering mobile phones, snap bags of cocaine, cannabis and a quantity of cash. The man, from Newport, was released under investigation as our enquiries continue.
They recovered a Sur-Ron bike and dealt with a 16-year-old boy for possession with intent to supply cannabis. Officers also recovered a stolen moped in Pen-y-wal Drive, Llanwern; two boys, aged 16 and 12, are to be interviewed in connection with handling stolen goods and driving without insurance. During the operation, officers also seized an e-bike which they believed had been illegally modified., o
Padel revolution comes to Newport!
Apr 13 – Global sports phenomenon Padel comes to Newport this weekend with the opening of Matchbox Pickleball at 1-2 East Bank Road. Details here
The new centre will host padel, pickleball and golf simulation and is the first facility for padel players in Newport. There will be refreshment facilities, live music and co-working spaces.
Padel courts are enclosed by glass and wire mesh, allowing walls to be used in play, similar to squash. Pickleball is played on an open court with no walls. Padel uses a solid paddle with holes and a low-pressure ball. Pickleball uses a solid, lighter paddle (wood or composite) and a plastic, perforated ball. Both sports are highly sociable and require lower skill levels than other racquet sports and is popular with all ages. According to the Lawn Tennis Association in 2019 there were around 15,000 players and just 50 courts. By 2025, this had risen to 400,000 and the number of courts stood at 893.
Another club is planned in the Spytty area. On Slazenger’s website they state it will be at 7 Seven Stiles Avenue, current location of a Matalan Clearance Store. It will have 11 premium indoor courts, Elite coaching & training programs, Pro shop & equipment hire And Exclusive Founder Membership benefits.
Rapist jailed for ten years
On Wednesday 28 June 2023, the then 20-year-old went to the home address of his 17-year-old victim after absconding from Newport Magistrate’s Court. Jenkins-Lang attempted to initiated sexual contact with the victim while in her bedroom. He was told no but forced himself on her.
Following the attack, the victim managed to get away to a neighbour where the police were called.On his arrest, he was found wearing a stab vest and carrying a BB gun and knife. During a trial in September 2024, the defendant presented a letter to his barrister claiming to have received it from the victim while remanded in custody. In the letter, the victim purportedly apologised and cleared him of the offence. The trial was adjourned to investigate further.
Forensics, handwriting samples and expert witnesses showed that the victim was not involved in the letter and led to Jenkins-Lang and 21-year-old man being charged with perverting the course of justice. The 21-year-old man was found not guilty during the trial.
Next commits to Friars Walk
Apr 9 – Clothing retailer Next has confirmed that it has extended its lease at Friars Walk following the loss of two key tenants in the last week. See below.
Further Malpas Road roadworks planned
Apr 9 – Newport City Council will be carrying out two more phases of weekend resurfacing work on Malpas Road in April. They will be resurfacing both sides of the road between the southernmost entrance to Goodrich Crescent (by Crindau Constitutional Club) up to approximately 62 Malpas Road.
The work will take place across two full weekend shifts:
- 8pm Friday 10 April until 5am Monday 13 April
- 8pm Friday 24 April until 5am Monday 27 April
Is M4 relief road talk a pipe dream?
Apr 8 – There must be an election coming up both Reform and the Conservatives want to see the resurrection of an M4 relief road. The former want it to be a toll road! Approximately £15.2 million was spent on Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and property acquisitions ahead of the decision by First Minister Mark Drakeford. Some of that has been sold on although parts remain unsold. He took the view that the proposed routes would cause untold damage to the Levels. Newport Labour politicians, in the main, still favour a modified relief road to by pass some of the congestion caused by the Brynglas Tunnels. Significant sums have now been committed to upgrading the local rail network which must not be affected by this.
The notion of a new road is a pipe dream but the option to develop and upgrade existing infrastructure surely is an option. This was the so called blue route in the original proposals. This would offer the option to significantly upgrade the Eastern Distributor from Magor to Glan Llyn and Southern Distributor roads and cut across from Nash to the SDR bridge to improve the flow of traffic and could be achieved at a significantly lower cost than other options.
Hedyn to open new HQ in landmark building
Apr 7 – Housing association, Hedyn, plans to open new headquarters in the old Royal Mail building at the rear of Newport railway station on Mill Street. The landmark building has recently been converted and unoccupied for some time but the housing group (a merger of Melin and Newport City Homes) plan to relocate from existing locations in Newport and Pontypool with the new base up and running by 2028.
Blow for city centre as M&S end lease
Apr 7 – Marks and Spencer has announced plans to close their Friars Walk Foodhall store at the end of June in a blow for the city centre. The group states it does not plan to renew the lease on the store after being there for ten years.
City 9th in ‘willpower’ index
Apr 5 – New research from Phlo Clinic, a digital pharmacy and healthcare provider, has compiled a “Willpower Index”, revealing where in the UK it’s easiest and hardest to stick to weight loss goals.
The index takes into account factors such as the cost of a healthy shopping basket, the price of a McDonald’s meal, and the number of gyms, pubs and green spaces across 41 cities.
Alongside the index, a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults highlights a wider “willpower gap”, with 57% of Brits saying the availability of unhealthy food makes losing weight harder. Meanwhile, 44% say they have stopped trying to lose weight due to mental or physical exhaustion, and a further 44% feel expected to eat and drink “normally” at social events, even when it conflicts with their goals.Newport was named 9th hardest places in the UK to stick to weight loss goals.
Home Bargains plan new store, creating 100 jobs
Apr 1 – Home Bargains plan to open a new store in the former Homebase unit on the Harlech Retail Park on Cardiff Road in Newport. The company state it will create 100 full and part time jobs. They have asked for a planning variation to allow for 30 per cent of floor space for the sale of food and drink. The news comes as it is reported River Island are closing their Friars Walk store.
Elsewhere, planning conditions are being discharged to convert the former Tom Toya Lewis in to eight two bedroomed flats. There are numerous other applications including plans for a huge solar implementation at Mendelgief Retail Park, installing 144 panels at the site, the residential conversion of the former Le Pub building in Caxton Place to residential and the redevelopment of the former Slipping Jimmy’s bar on High Street into an apartment hotel.
£2 million for city regeneration project
Mar 27 – The Welsh Government has granted fresh funding to areas seeking to revitalise town centres and public spaces. £12.2 million has been allocated across Wales Including £2 million grant funding for a project in Newport (full details cannot be disclosed at this time due to commercial sensitivities)
Second phase of Malpas Road roadworks set for this weekend
Mar 26 – The second phase of the resurfacing of Malpas Road is being carried out this weekend. The Council will be resurfacing both sides of the road between the M4 junction 26 roundabout and the northernmost entrance to Goodrich Crescent, opposite the Lyceum Tavern.
The work will take place from 10.30pm on Saturday 28 March to 5.30am on Monday 30 March. This means that the road will be closed all of Sunday 29 March.
A provisional extra shift, if required, has been scheduled for between 11.30pm on Monday 30 March and 4am on Tuesday 31 March. The council will communicate on Monday via its social media channels if this extra shift is required.
Resident access to Goodrich Crescent and Brynglas will be available via the Harlequin roundabout, Brynglas Road and Aston Crescent. All other traffic will be required to follow diversion routes which will be in place. Further weekend work is planned for after Easter. Exact dates for the remaining work will be confirmed by the council in due course.
Work on Somerton Road takes place from 8pm tonight – see our report dated March 19.
Most city bus fares set to increase / Easter service levels
Mar 26 – Most Newport bus fares are set to increase from March 29 as part of the annual review of fares.
A single fare will be £2.75, city day fares will be £5.50, a weekly city ticket will be £22.95 but app-based Trio fares will not increase until the end of May These packages allow customers to purchase three day tickets in a single transaction, offering savings of more than 20% compared with buying individual day tickets during this period with the Trio (three City Day tickets) priced at £13 and Trio Plus (three City Day Plus tickets) priced at £16.
Easter service levels – 3 April, Good Friday: Saturday Service 4 April, Saturday: Saturday Service 5 April, Easter Sunday: Sunday Service 6 April, Easter Bank Holiday: Sunday Service
City centre college campus stage 2 approved
Mar 23 – The business case for the new city centre further education college in Newport has been approved by Welsh Government. Delivered in partnership with Welsh Government and Newport City Council, the project will create a new modern, accessible campus designed to meet the needs of learners across the city at a cost of £105 million. Facilities for 2000 plus learners will relocate from the existing Lliswerry site to the new site formerly Newport Centre. The project can now enter its design and detailed planning phase. Colocation with the University of South Wales will create a unified Knowledge Quarter with work set to commence in summer 2027.
Council leader Dimitri Batrouni stated “This will be a brilliant investment, not only in the city centre and Newport but in the future of our young people by providing first-class, modern facilities in an accessible location. This is a large-scale and impressive development and I’m pleased that it is continuing to make such good progress.”
Steel industry strategy welcomed
Mar 23 – The UK Government’s steel strategy has been welcomed by Newport East MP Jessica Morden. The Strategy includes a commitment to reduce overall quota levels for steel imports from abroad by 60% compared to current arrangements, and the introduction of a 50% tariff for any steel imports.
The Strategy also confirms electric arc furnaces (EAFs) as the future of British steelmaking. Steel making processes remain in Newport at Tata Llanwern and 7 Steel, Liswerry.
Motorcyclist killed in accident
Mar 23 – A 61 year old motorcyclist has died following an accident on the M4 slip road approaching the Coldra roundabout. The slip road is currently a single lane. The collision involved a blue Audi Q8 and a white Triumph Trident motorbike.
In a separate incident a man is in a stable condition following a serious accident on Chepstow Road in the Glanwern area. The collision involved a single vehicle, with the driver initially described as being in a life-threatening condition.
UK funding used to purchase Commercial Street properties
Mar 20 – Newport City Council has used UK Government Shared Prosperity funding to purchase two eyesore buildings at 166-168 Commercial Street. One of the units was home to WH Smith until the company ceased trading in Newport while the other adjoining store was formerly used by Mothercare and BlueInc, among others.
The site is a three-storey mid-terrace commercial building, comprising two self-contained retail units over the ground floors and three upper floors. The properties are empty and require refurbishment throughout with potential asbestos removal given they were built in the 1950s. The Council report covering the decision states the Council will “carry out an appraisal as to their future use, with a likely recommendation to demolish the buildings and creating a new area of public space.” Cllr James Clarke stated “We are not closing our minds to any alternative use but, at the moment, it appears demolition would be the best option so the space could be used in a new way.”
Jobs market static
Mar 20 – Our regular monitor of the jobs market shows the number of vacancies to be static when compared to our last survey in September. The Government’s job search site has 300 available jobs within 5 miles of Newport, total jobs.com has 351 jobs. Vacancies include GP opportunities for NHS surgeries locally, project management, mechanical engineering, finance analysts a bakery assistant in M&S and retail assistant in GAME. Among the main employers locally Newport City Council has 34 vacancies, Torfaen 30 including apprenticeships, Hedyn (Newport City Homes) has 9 opportunities, the Celtic Manor has numerous vacancies
Somerton roadworks planned for end of month
Mar 19 – Somerton Road will undergo overnight resurfacing on March 26–27, 2026, causing a full road closure between Collingwood Rd/Cromwell Rd roundabout and Frobisher Rd from 8pm–5am. A signed diversion will be in place, and residents are advised not to park on the affected stretch during these hours.
No Newport - Cardiff trains this weekend
Mar 16 – There are no trains running between Newport and Cardiff this weekend (March 21 and 22). The blockade is due to engineering works on the mainline. Replacement bus services will operate every five minutes. Trains to London Paddington, Manchester and Birmingham will start at Newport.
Newport Tory councillor steps down
Mar 16 – Chris Reeks, Conservative councillor for Rogerstone North is stepping down for personal reasons with immediate effect. Matthew Evans, Tory leader, said he was ‘very sad’ to see him go but ‘family comes first.’
Eveswell School to reopen following health incident
Mar 11 – Eveswell Primary School in Newport is set to reopen following a serious medical incident on Tuesday involving a 10-year-old girl who was taken to the hospital by air ambulance. Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, attended the scene.
Kingsway revives ‘indoor market’
Mar 10 – Kingsway Shopping Centre will play host to the revival of the indoor market concept for Newport shoppers starting at the end of March.The huge former B&M unit is being converted into a trading space called ‘The Market’.
They say “The Market is a dynamic entrepreneurial space, an innovative destination operating exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays, located within the Kingsway Centre in Newport. This brand new venue is designed for food lovers and art enthusiasts alike, offering a unique platform to trade amidst fresh produce, delectable hot food, handmade crafts, and live entertainment. Reminiscent of the old InShops but with a new twist. We have purpose built units of varied sizes for crafters, fresh produce, shops and hot food.”
At the back of the unit there’s a seating area for live entertainment.
Reform relief road policy exposed
Mar 10 – Plans by Reform to resuscitate the M4 relief road proposal have been exposed. As part of its Senedd manifesto launch the party claimed it could bring the idea back but has admitted that the only way it could now be funded is as a toll road. They also claim they would try to access £1.5 billion in private finance to build the road. Labour claimed that the commitment was a populist pipe dream and would affect the UK Government’s plan for rail infrastructure investment recently announced.
Newport Conservative Leader Cllr Matthew Evans asked : “How many motorists would pay the toll? How many would simply continue on the existing M4 or even detour through Newport’s A-Roads to avoid paying the toll?” The Conservatives also back the relief road proposal but have no plan to pay for it.
Newport’s Labour leader Dimitri Batrouni has confirmed he would support a much modified M4 relief road scheme alongside the planned public transport schemes but this is not official Labour policy.
Newport extends childcare support
Previously, families qualified for the support if they lived in certain parts of the city. The free childcare is available from the term after the child’s second birthday until the term the child reaches their third birthday.
Councillor Deb Davies, cabinet member for education and early years, said: “I’m really pleased that parents and carers across the whole city can now be offered free childcare for up to two and half hours a day. It means families no longer need to live in a certain postcode to qualify and as well as the support it gives them, the children will also benefit.”
Whe a child turns three, their parents or carers could then be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare per week through the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer for Wales. Parents and carers with children in private childcare can apply for the funding if their childcare setting is registered with Flying Start. Childcare settings who are not currently registered can apply to join the programme.