The plans include 350,000 square feet of shops

Plans, to include a new Debenhams store, were first announced a year ago.

But officials have been forced to look at a revised scheme after new owners took over at the Kingsway shopping centre.

The latest scheme still includes a new site for Debenhams and a new 1,400 space carpark next door.

If the details of the proposals are agreed, there will also be a new shopping mall between Kingsway and John Frost Square, with part of the bus station being redeveloped and some bus stops being moved next to the railway station.

The council owns most of the land and is in talks with other leaseholders.

An artist's impression of the city shopping facelift

Officials admit that to get the scheme off the drawing board is a complex process but they are confident, with regeneration company Newport Unlimited, of marketing it to a developer.

Council leader Sir Harry Jones said: ""I think it is great news for the people of Newport.

"Preliminary costing work suggests that it stacks up financially and is capable of delivering an acceptable level of profit for a developer.

"Critically, from the point of view of the council and Newport Unlimited, it is capable of delivering the required 'step change' in shopping facilities in the city centre in a reasonable timescale."

The original plan was for Debenhams to open as part of a �100m revamp of the Kingsway centre in 2006.