Newport High Street to be shut for May Bank Holiday funfair
Organisers of a huge May Bank Holiday funfair have been given permission to close Newport town centre for more than a day.
Newport High Street will be shut for 30 hours from 6pm on Saturday, May 4, to midnight the following day as travelling entertainers set up.
The fair will be open from midday on the Sunday to 9pm, organiser Rodney Pitt said.
Telford & Wrekin Council has backed a road closure application to ensure the fair goes ahead.
It will be the first of its kind for 74 years.
A council spokesman said formalities still needed to be completed – but the local authority was keen to support community events.
And Mr Pitt expects about 2,000 people to attend.
There will be no visiting food or drink sellers to ensure local traders benefit, Mr Pitt said.
He added: "Telford & Wrekin Council is processing the street closure and I don't anticipate any problems.
"The fair will set up on Saturday evening and will then be gone by midnight on Sunday.
"There will be no food or drink provided by the fair so traders in High Street can benefit.
"The fair operators are professional with 40 years of experience."
The fair will stretch the full length of High Street from The Shakespeare pub to The Barley with a mix of rides and stalls suitable for all ages, including young children and adults.
Mr Pitt added: "It's all come together quite easily really.
"We've got the support of the Rotary Club of Newport and I'm hoping the Round Table and St John's Ambulance will be involved."
Any profits will go to charity, Mr Pitt said.
However, planned historical re-enactments at Victoria Park on May 4 as part of the celebrations have been scrapped.
