Welcoming community that reallyfeels like home

“It’sthe onlyplace outsideIreland I’ve ever felt at home,” is the messageabout Newportfromshop ownerFrankie O’Connor Frankieisthe owner of Newport MusicStore,havingtaken overthe HeyJude’sbusinessfrom long-standingowner Jude Paton last year

AndtradinginNewport is areal family affair as hiswifeTracey owns Objects, ahomewearand gift shop in town

They movedtoNewport two yearsago,havingbeenvisitingfor

14 yearswhileFrankie wasinthe military basedatMarket Drayton.

“What’snot to love about Newport?” said Frankie. “It’sthe community,everybodyknows each otherand everyone makesyou feel welcome

“Everyone says helloand they gettoknowyou in five minutes.

“It’safairlybig town butitfeels likeavillage in that way. We’ve livedlotsofplacesand never really felt likeweknewanyone, butin Newportweweremadetofeelwelcome rightfromthe start.

“We’ve only livedherefor two yearsbut it feelslikewe’ve lived here always.It’sthe only placeoutside IrelandI’veever felt at home

“Even my brother-in-law,who onlyvisited foraday,saiditwas theonlyplace he couldsee himself living in England.

“WhenItookonthe shop, we automaticallybecamepartofthe communityovernight

“Everybodycomesin andwants to supportyou rightfromthe beginning. It’s been greatand we’ve hadsomuchsupport.” n Lisa Baker–Owner of Deli4Caféand Coffee Shop

“We’ve gotfreeparking,lots ofindependentshops, coffee shopsand places to eatwitha varietyofdifferent businesses

“PeopleinNewport arevery friendly andapproachable. Ilove meetingall thedifferent people andmakingnew friends. I’ve made so many newfriends from having Deli45 andwewelcome everyone,whether adults, kids, babies or dogs,withopenarms. It’s just such afriendlytown.” n Rose Palmer –Owner of ZigZags haberdashery

“I wouldn’t have takenthe shop on if it hadn’t been in Newport.WhatI love most about Newportisthe community and beingpart of such agood mix of independentshops andbusinesses.Not many places have ahaberdasheryintownthese days.I also reallylikethatall threehighschools arequite central, whichmakes it very convenient if you have children.” n Michelle Walsh– Owner of Oh SewBlueSky home interiorsand gift shop with herbusinesspartner Sara Brettle

“Weget alot of people comingintoushereinNewport to buyour Frenchic paint, then they turn around andsee allour home wearsand startlooking at whichoneswill look perfect with theirchosenpaint

“I’m notactuallyfromNewport,IliveinCodsall butI’d move here tomorrow if Icould It’s gotthat‘holidayfeel’,especially on asunnyday.It’ssucha pretty town.Everybodyhereis lovely andthe town hassucha goodfeelabout it.”