The Kingsway Centre in Newport is pioneering a new model of retail space, embracing leisure, education, and community engagement to thrive in a changing high street landscape, thanks to The Boyce Group’s innovative vision.
The Kingsway Centre in Newport is experiencing a remarkable transformation under the stewardship of The Boyce Group, led by Niall Leighton-Boyce, despite challenges facing traditional retail sectors. The closure of one of its stores is part of a wider restructuring affecting 32 shops, yet the centre’s management remains optimistic about its new business model, which has helped the Kingsway Centre achieve near full occupancy—an increasingly rare feat among UK shopping centres.
The Boyce Group’s approach centers on innovation and diversification beyond conventional retail. Since acquiring the centre, the group has introduced several leisure and experiential offerings, notably The Underground, an indoor venue featuring airsoft, axe throwing, and a rage room. This unique combination of activities has attracted a wider and younger demographic, encouraging longer visits and boosting secondary spending. The Underground provides various game modes to accommodate all skill levels, fostering a welcoming environment for enthusiasts and groups, while also offering family-friendly events like Nerf wars and birthday bookings.
This pivot towards experiential leisure aligns with a broader reimagining of retail spaces as community hubs. The Kingsway Centre has also opened its doors to new businesses; over 11 have joined within the first six months under the new ownership, including food and craft outlets as well as retailers like Delicious Delights and Warren James. The launch of Little Kingdom Adventure has further enhanced the centre’s appeal to families, driving foot traffic and supporting neighbouring shops.
Additionally, the Boyce Group has secured planning permission to incorporate educational uses within the centre, envisaging partnerships with academic institutions and potential university-led expansions. This strategic move promises to sustain year-round footfall, foster local skills development, and stimulate the regional economy. Such initiatives hint at a future where the centre extends beyond shopping to become an integrated space for learning and community engagement.
Their plans also include converting Sovereign House into student accommodation and transforming Emlyn House into a public square, enhancing the centre’s role as a social and cultural destination. The introduction of new food outlets and vending options is intended to increase dwell time and cement Kingsway’s status as a family-friendly environment.
The Boyce Group’s evolving vision for Kingsway exemplifies a growing trend among developers to reinvent retail environments as multi-use hubs. Moving away from the traditional high street model, these centres are embracing leisure, hospitality, education, and community engagement to ensure sustainability in an era of widespread retail disruption. According to The Boyce Group, the future of the high street belongs to those willing to innovate beyond shopping alone—a message underscored by their ongoing investments and strategic diversification at Kingsway.
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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 the acquisition by The Boyce Group and the introduction of new tenants. The earliest known publication date of similar content is September 2023, when the centre was acquired by The Boyce Group. The report includes updated data, such as the opening of The Underground venue, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The presence of multiple references to other outlets suggests the content is not recycled. However, the report's reliance on a single source raises questions about its originality. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Niall Leighton-Boyce, Director of The Boyce Group. These quotes appear to be original and have not been identified in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in earlier publications, indicating potential originality.
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, its focus on local news may limit its broader recognition. The Boyce Group is a private company, and while Niall Leighton-Boyce is listed as a director, the company's public presence is limited. The Kingsway Centre Management Ltd is a recently established company with Niall Leighton-Boyce as the director, indicating active management of the centre.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible developments, including the acquisition of the Kingsway Centre by The Boyce Group and the introduction of new tenants. These events align with previous reports from August 2024, indicating consistency. The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which raises questions about its comprehensiveness. The tone and language are consistent with regional reporting standards. No excessive or off-topic details were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments at the Kingsway Centre, including the acquisition by The Boyce Group and the introduction of new tenants. While the content appears original and includes direct quotes from Niall Leighton-Boyce, the reliance on a single source and the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets raise questions about its comprehensiveness. The plausibility of the events described is consistent with previous reports, but the absence of broader coverage suggests a need for further verification.
