The Kingsway Centre in Newport is pioneering a new model of mixed-use development by integrating leisure, education, and community spaces to counteract traditional retail challenges, setting a regional precedent for adaptable shopping destinations.
The Kingsway Centre in Newport, under the ownership of The Boyce Group, is carving out a distinctive path amid the widespread challenges faced by retail hubs across the UK. Despite the closure of the Wilko store as part of the group's wider restructuring involving 32 shop closures, the centre's management remains optimistic about their forward-looking business model.
Having acquired the centre in late 2023 for £615,000, The Boyce Group, led by Niall Leighton-Boyce, has embarked on a comprehensive transformation. This reinvention has seen Kingsway operate at near full capacity, an impressive feat given the current countrywide retail climate. Central to this success has been the introduction of experiential leisure offerings, notably The Underground—an indoor venue featuring airsoft, axe throwing, and a rage room. These immersive activities have not only attracted new visitors but also extended the time spent onsite, boosting secondary spending and energising the centre's atmosphere.
In addition to leisure, the group is actively diversifying Kingsway's portfolio by securing planning permission for educational use, signalling plans for academic partnerships and potential university-led expansion. This move is expected to generate consistent year-round footfall, contribute to local skills development, and bolster the surrounding economy. The Boyce Group has also announced plans to convert Sovereign House into 112 student studios, further aligning with their vision of a multi-use community hub.
The repurposing of former retail spaces, including the Wilko unit, is also underway to accommodate a broader mix of tenants. The centre is poised to welcome new food and drink outlets, financial and professional services, and additional leisure and hospitality venues. Further family-friendly attractions have been introduced, such as the Little Kingdom Adventure play area, which reportedly attracted hundreds of families and benefitted adjacent retailers.
Future enhancements include establishing a food court and vending options designed to increase visitor footfall and dwell time, aiming to reinforce Kingsway’s status as a vibrant, community-centred destination. According to The Boyce Group, this strategic pivot away from traditional retail underscores a broader industry trend: the future success of high streets hinges on adaptability and the integration of diverse experiences beyond shopping alone.
While Kingsway is evolving as a leisure and educational hub, it is worth noting that similar developments are being pursued in other parts of Wales. For instance, the 71/72 Kingsway project in Swansea, opened in mid-2025, has become a thriving mixed-use space with notable tenants and sustainable design features, including solar panels and heat recovery systems, highlighting a regional shift towards multifunctional commercial spaces.
The Kingsway Centre's ongoing transformation exemplifies a proactive response to retail challenges by blending leisure, education, hospitality, and community amenities to retain relevance and promote economic vitality in Newport. The Boyce Group's approach could serve as a model for other centres facing modern retail pressures, embodying a belief that reinvention is essential for future prosperity.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments at the Kingsway Centre, including its acquisition by The Boyce Group in late 2023 and subsequent transformation efforts. The earliest known publication date of similar content is September 2023, when The Boyce Group's acquisition was reported. The report includes updated data, such as the introduction of new leisure offerings and plans for educational use, indicating a higher freshness score. However, the narrative may have recycled older material, as it references previous closures and developments without providing new insights. Additionally, the report mentions the 71/72 Kingsway project in Swansea, opened in mid-2025, which is a future event as of September 2025. This inclusion suggests the narrative may be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the mention of a future event raises questions about the accuracy of the timeline. Overall, the freshness score is moderate due to the mix of updated and recycled content.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Niall Leighton-Boyce, director of The Boyce Group, regarding plans for the Kingsway Centre. A search reveals that similar quotes have appeared in earlier material, indicating potential reuse. However, the wording varies slightly, suggesting some originality. No online matches were found for other quotes, raising the score but flagging them as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the South Wales Argus, a regional newspaper with a history of reporting on local developments. While the publication is reputable, it is not as widely recognised as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The Boyce Group is a known entity, and Niall Leighton-Boyce has a public presence. However, the report's reliance on a press release and the inclusion of future events raise questions about the source's reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible scenario of The Boyce Group revitalising the Kingsway Centre by introducing leisure and educational facilities. However, the inclusion of the 71/72 Kingsway project in Swansea, opened in mid-2025, is a future event as of September 2025, which raises questions about the accuracy of the timeline. The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, and the tone is unusually dramatic, which may be a distraction tactic. Additionally, the structure includes excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim, such as the mention of the Swansea project. Overall, the plausibility score is moderate due to these concerns.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible scenario of The Boyce Group revitalising the Kingsway Centre, but the inclusion of future events and reliance on a press release raise questions about its accuracy and originality. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the dramatic tone further contribute to the uncertainty. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with medium confidence.
