Ex-worker re-launching Newport card shop

A card shop in Newport's High Street is set to reopen just two weeks after it closed.

G&A Cards will open at 9am tomorrow in the former Sentiments store next to the Post Office.

The shop closed without warning on May 26 with owner Alan Crank describing it as 'unprofitable.' But Sentiments employee Alison Evans and her fiance Gareth Masters have teamed up to relaunch the business.

Mr Masters said: "I'm very excited, I've been looking for a new business for quite some time and I felt this was too good an opportunity to pass-by.

"It's my plan to get the shop back to what it was two or three years ago. Both Alison and I will be working there and we've got big plans.

"We are going to sell higher quality cards and other items such as chocolates and gifts.

"It's a great shop in a great location and we cannot wait to get started."

Mr Masters, who is 39, lived in Newport for 35 years before moving to Whitchurch.

The captain of Newport Cricket Club's second team, he is planning to move back to the town before marrying Alison in the winter.

He added: "This is a project we can both get our teeth stuck into. Alison has worked in the shop for six years and knows the business inside out.

"Everyone in Newport knows me and I know and understand the town. I think we can make the shop a big success."

Patrick Beech, chairman of the Newport & District Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is excellent news and I wish Gareth and Alison the best of luck.

"It's always a big decision to take over a business but the shop is in a prime location and I hope they do very well.

"It's a quick turn around and means Newport will only have two empty shops on the High Street, which is good going for any market town."