Friars Walk is one of South Wales’ most exciting upcoming developments, with the shopping centre scheme due to bring a number of new retailers and leisure operators to the Newport destination. This week, owner Queensberry Real Estate confirmed that national restaurant brand T.G.I. Friday’s has become the latest firm to sign a tenancy agreement for the development and will take up a prime unit in the vicinity of the eight screen Cineworld multiplex cinema when Friars Walk opens on 12th November.
T.G.I. Friday’s is the tenth restaurant to secure a unit in the leisure section of Friars Walk, known as Usk Plaza, and will join other acclaimed brands including Nandos, Las Iguanas, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Prezzo amongst several others. The restaurant chain was first established in 1965 and already has a strong presence in South Wales with two Cardiff outlets – however, this will be the brand’s first foray into the Newport market.
Property director at T.G.I. Friday’s UK division, David Carroll, says; “We are delighted to be bringing the T.G.I. Friday’s unique experience to the outstanding Friars Walk retail and leisure development in the heart of Newport.”
The £100 million Friars Walk scheme is set to be one of the only major shopping centre openings in the UK this year, making retailers and leisure brands very keen to snap up space within the modern, well-configured development. Queensberry Real Estate says that the 390,000-plus sq ft scheme will provide an excellent opportunity for both national and local brands to enhance their offer within South Wales.
As a result, Friars Walk will be able to create upwards of 1,200 permanent jobs when construction work is completed, bringing an estimated £15 million worth of salaries to the local economy each year. It has also created a number of roles in the construction industry whilst ensuring local firms have benefited from a boost in the supply chain.
Commercial director and co-founder of Queensberry Real Estate, Stuart Harris, revealed that a number of new lettings have taken place in the past few weeks in addition to the T.G.I. Friday’s deal, although as yet has not revealed the identities of the new tenants. These agreements mean that the centre is now 65 per cent pre-let, with retailers including anchor tenant Debenhams, River Island and H&M all preparing to take up space within the scheme.
Mr Harris says; “T.G.I. Friday’s is another great brand to add to our mix of restaurant options at Friars Walk, we now truly have something to suit all tastes.
“The quality of restaurants in combination with the retail and leisure offer at both Friars Walk and nearby will offer everyone leisure choices throughout the whole day and evening in a fantastic new modern environment.
“In addition we have agreed terms on another 10 retail units, a selection of local, regional and national operators with many of them coming to Newport for the first time.”
