Thousands of the city’s residents made their way to the centre of town, to make the most of the Shop Local day promoted by a number of smaller, independent shops in Newport.
Matthew Evans, Newport’s mayor, was there to launch a new boutique in the Kingsway Shopping Centre, while pupils from Rogerstone Primary School sang carols at the indoor market and festive shoppers searched the wares at a temporary Christmas market.
Speaking to the South Wales Argus, Councillor Evans stated:
“Having walked around and visited all the stores, traders seem to be in a buoyant move.
“Initiatives like this are proving to be hugely successful.”
Local events of this kind are always able to call on the assistance of flyer printing in Newport to spread the word about them, and this particular initiative was the work of Newport Rises.
This local group is focused on helping the city reach its potential and dedicated the past few months to the organisation of Shop Local.
One of the group’s members, city councillor Chris Evans, said that although the Friars Walk retail centre – due to open in 2015 – was good news, events like this one were created to ensure that smaller shops do not lose out.