Feria Urbanism is producing a four-part design guide for Newport High Street that addresses the town’s urban design context, provides guidance on converting empty properties, showcases new use case studies, and sets out ways to overcome barriers to repurposing heritage buildings.

The historic market town on the Isle of Wight is home to some remarkable historic buildings, a medieval street pattern and two market squares but is suffering from retail decline and empty shops, with some buildings showing serious signs of decay. Traffic dominates many parts of the town, and the quality of public spaces could be much improved.

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) seeks to build on the work already carried out by the community to shape the regeneration of the town. Working with partners, also looks to make the High Street a place that everybody living here wants to use and visit — and to increase residential accommodation within the town centre.