Summer of fun in the city centre

Last year's Newport Now Urban Beach in John Frost Square. It will be returning this year for the whole of August

Newport Now BID is delighted to be working with the City Council to bring some summer fun into the city centre.

Families will be able to relax in a pop-up park which will be by The Wave on the Riverfront from July 24 until September 10. With a picket fence, picnic tables and

benches it will be the perfect way to chill by the river in the sunshine.

Soon visitors will also notice giant chairs in and around the city centre ready for those who love a selfie and next month children will have to watch out for a monster invasion.

The giant chair trail will start on the riverfront and lead people into Friars Walk, while the monster trail – which will be linked to the Newport Now app – will give children the chance to collect monsters at venues across the city centre and then get a free story book from the Central Library when they have them all.

The giant chair trail runs from July 31 to September 10, and the monster trail from August 11 to September 10.

Newport Now’s Urban Beach will also be back in John Frost Square for the whole of August. Running from August 1 to August 31 inclusive, the beach will be open 9am-5pm every day and will give children from across the city and beyond the chance to have fun in the sand.

The beach area will also feature deck chairs, buckets and spades, a giant deck chair, a peep-through board, and the sounds of the seaside. The first and final hours each day will be designated as ‘quiet hours’ to make the event as inclusive for as many children as possible.

Information towers trailing events to look forward to later this year, and next, can also be followed around the city centre through the summer. They will also be promoting the events website where events across the city can be found or posted – www.whatsoncityofnewport.co.uk

All the activities are being led by the BID with support from Newport City Council through funding from the UK government.     

Kevin Ward, Newport Now BID manager, said: “We are really pleased to have secured funding from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund via the council to bring even more summer fun to the city centre.

“Our Urban Beach was used by almost 9,500 children last year and we are sure that, combined with the other events we are announcing today, many families will be attracted in to the city centre over the school holidays – increasing footfall and trading opportunities for the businesses we represent.”

Councillor James Clarke, cabinet member for regeneration and business growth and a member of the BID's board of directors, said: “We work closely with Newport Now on initiatives for the city centre and the summer programme is going to be a lot of fun for all ages.

“It will perfectly complement Newport Now’s popular urban beach in John Frost Square.”