Enterprise and Business Committee
Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration

Evidence from Dennis Campell

Before focusing full-time on my book Egypt Unsh@ckled, I spent the spring ‘11 and fall of ’10 conducting research for a magazine article I was preparing on the impact of massive multi-use redevelopment projects across the EU with special focus on Cardiff and Newport.

The editors and I killed it because after interviewing several in government, RE development and financial services businesses, the fear of retribution was great and many refused to speak on the record, be identified or wanted an unacceptable level of editorial clearance authority.

The dismal performance of St. Davids, Newport and others across the EU and the subsequent drag it has had on the surrounding business establishments and neighbourhoods is a travesty. These showcase structures risk becoming white elephants themselves in the economic downturn.

Their metrics of footfalls do not translate into business or results. There are still massive vacancies in the complex and several of the surrounding area businesses have been driven completely out of business. The govt was sold or indeed itself sold the project under less than ideal and overly optimistic circumstances.

As a journalist, I would welcome the opportunity to present my research and notes into the record. I would not be able to reveal sources other than saying, an EU-wide developer, a multi-national bank financier, etc.

Coming soon!

Denis G. Campbell

Editor-in-Chief

UK Progressive Magazine

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