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Progress Being Made On Retail And Football Park Plans

Work to demolish the former Newport FC clubhouse at St George’s Way will begin on Monday.

The project marks an important step forward for ongoing plans to build a retail park on the former football ground site, a scheme which will unlock funding for Newport FC’s new home off The Racecourse.

An announcement on the start date for both of these projects is expected soon.

The Newport FC clubhouse has been deteriorating for several years after the club found itself unable to maintain the facility.

Supported by development company South Coast Leisure, the club has in recent years been ground- sharing – latterly at East Cowes Vics – while plans for a new ground have been drawn up.

The new ground will feature its own clubhouse and grandstand overlooking an all-weather floodlit pitch.

When not being used by Newport FC, the facility will also be available for community use.

The retail park will have a mix of retail outlets – all household names and which will, between them, create a significant number of new jobs.

 “Because of factors such as the Covid pandemic and then uncertain economic conditions, the whole plan has taken longer than any of us would have liked,” said SCL spokesman Paul Airey.

 “But we are now entering the final stages in terms of getting the agreements in place and we will hopefully be in a position to make further positive announcements in the near future.

 “In the meantime, the demolition of the derelict old clubhouse will be a visible and important step forward both in terms of bringing a high-quality new retail offer to the town and also giving Newport FC the sustainable new ground they deserve.”

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