A massive man-made beach featuring 15 tonnes of golden sand is returning to Newport city centre for the summer holidays, providing free family entertainment and boosting local footfall.
Beach Details and Features
The 23-metre beach will be located in John Frost Square and will operate daily from Tuesday, July 30 to Sunday, September 1. It will include 50 deck chairs for parents, a giant deck chair, and a peek-through seaside board for family photos. The first 60 minutes of each day will be designated as a quiet hour to ensure inclusivity for all children.
Trained staff will be on hand during opening hours, and security will be in place overnight. The attraction is free and open to the public every day.
Supporting Local Retailers
The initiative is delivered by the business improvement district (BID) in partnership with Newport City Council, leisure trusts, and shopping centres. It forms part of a growing calendar of city centre events designed to support local retailers during a crucial trading period.
Newport Now BID manager Kevin Ward said: “Bringing the seaside into the city centre for more than a month is a fantastic way to mark the school summer holiday season. Children love the beach. Importantly for us as a BID, it brings additional footfall into the city centre at a crucial time for our businesses.”
Council and Community Response
Local authority leaders have welcomed the return of the attraction as part of their wider holiday activity programme. Councillor James Clarke, Newport City Council's cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “It’s great to see this summer attraction returning to John Frost Square. It is always a big hit with families and adds another fun element to the city centre as well as our holiday programme which includes activities in the nearby Central Library, Museum and Art Gallery.”
The city is preparing for a busy summer with multiple festivals planned, and the beach is expected to draw additional visitors to the shopping district.
