Newport named worst-performing UK retail location

Wales has failed to impress in retail over the past seven years, with rents in Newport falling by nearly 80% since their peak in 2008, according to Colliers International. Neath came in second at 56%. The research identified 45 UK locations where rents fell between 2008 and 2014. The South East, West Midlands and North West were the worst affected, with eight locations each. Excluding London, UK rents fell by 14%, with Wales seeing the sharpest fall, down by 38%. London rents rose by 28%. Telford, Boston and Swansea saw vacancy rates more than double in the past seven years. Colliers said that with the business rates assessment deadline of 31 March looming, these locations could see the biggest benefit from a rates appeal.