'It's up to us to support our vibrant high street!' Newport shoppers urged to buy local amid string of closures
After a string of closures of independent retailers in Newport, a councillor has encouraged shoppers to stay local.
This week, Workspace Newport announced it will close for good next Monday (March 10). The business, which offers co-working spaces, is among several Newport enterprises that have recently announced they will be shutting up shop.
Days earlier, the owner of CoCo 64 Home announced the store will be closing in the "next couple of months". The store, which sells furniture, home accessories and gifts, has been trading in the town for a decade.
It follows similar announcements from clothing store Daisy Chain, which launched a closing-down sale on February 25 after 18 years in Newport.
Within days of that announcement, Sally’s Flowers, on Upper Bar, announced it would also be serving its last customers on May 20.
Last week also saw the closure of Smallwood Lodge Tea Room, a quaint cafe in a 17th-century timber-framed home on the town's high street, as the owner looked towards retirement.
Each business has offered various reasons for closure: Sally's Flowers owner cited rising costs which made it “harder to trade and keep afloat”, while the team behind Workspace said the closure comes after “an unfortunate combination of factors”.
The owner of Daisy Chain called the last year "tough" but said they were looking towards a "new adventure".
The quick run of closures has caused a ripple of concern among locals on social media, and Newport councillor Peter Scott has now moved to reassure residents.
"One of the great things about Newport is that it's always had an ability to bounce back," he said.
"Over the last 50 years, the high street has changed beyond recognition, but it has always remained viable.
"Everyone has different opinions on why businesses close, but a lot of it is to do with the fact that not enough people use local shops.
"The best way to combat concerns is to use our local shops - it's up to us to support our local high street.
"Whilst it is sad to see, and I do commiserate for those who feel they have to close - we're very fortunate to have a vibrant high street that reinvents itself regularly."
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