WITH traders' busiest time of year just around the corner, Newport's business owners are doing their utmost to bring shoppers into the city centre with the nationwide "Shop Local Saturday" initiative on December 7. PAUL CAREY finds out more.

OUT-OF-TOWN shopping centres may be convenient but Newport is lucky to have a number of dedicated independent traders right in the heart of the city.

On December 7 those traders will be beating their drums and flying the flag for shopping locally by getting stuck in to the "Shop Local Saturday" initiative, with more than 20 businesses signed up as the Argus went to press.

The Shop Local initiative, which is a national scheme, is an attempt to get people supporting local businesses and trades by buying from them instead of national chains, helping to keep local jobs and support the economy directly on our doorstep.

All market traders and shops that sign up to the programme will be offering discounts, freebies and prizes to make it a positive day for everyone involved.

Each stall or shop will be displaying a poster to highlight that they are behind the initiative and momentum for the scheme is growing as the big day gets ever closer.

Many of the traders are based in the market and it is hoped the day will be the catalyst for an even bigger surge in customers through the door.

Trade has picked up since buses were moved to the market end of town and the new High Street entrance was opened, and now Newport residents (and visitors) are being encouraged to get behind the city centre "fight back".

One of the traders fully committed to the scheme is A.D Turners butchers, a company which has been in Newport Market since 1961.

Mike Turner, a partner in the business, said he believes customers should be coming to the market where they will find quality they won’t get elsewhere.

"This is one of the best Victorian markets in the country," said Mr Turner, 44. "People should appreciate it and come to see us as they then realise they appreciate the personal touch we offer.

"Hopefully this will be a success and anything we do to help get people back in the market does help."

He added: "We are always busy at Christmas. What we need is people coming to the market then coming back for the next 52 weeks of the year."

Everyone who spends more than £20 in store will be entered into a raffle at the end of the day for the chance to win a Christmas hamper of meat worth more than £100.

The idea to introduce the national initiative to Newport was pushed forward by Rogerstone councillor Chris Evans.

Cities and towns across the country have taken part in recent years and it is hoped Newport will enjoy similar success.

Cllr Evans said: "It is about empowering traders to do something for themselves and it just goes to show that we can do things without spending bucketloads of money.

"Perhaps it will put an extra pound in a till. If people spent £60 a week in the supermarket perhaps they could spend half that in town with independent traders, get your meat and veg and a newspaper, and just try it for a day.

"If ten people did that and maybe had a bit of lunch, then that could make a difference. It has to be an organic movement."

As well as discounts and prizes, there is also a Mediterranean food market planned for the city centre on December 7, and traders are hoping for crowds similar to those who turned out for Newport Food Festival.

Steve Reynolds, who owns Toy Army, said: “If people don’t start to shop local then we’ll just be left with three or four supermarkets. I think a lot of people will be interested in this and will come to have a look like they did with the food festival.

"My trade was actually down that day but it was nice seeing people out and about in the town and looking around," he said. "Just because they weren't a customer that day, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be a customer next time. It’s good to see.

"Newport has been neglected for 20 years and is playing catch up now. But we’re moving in the right direction and hopefully this event will bring people out again."

If Newport city centre becomes the go-to place events like this have to become a regular occurrence according to economics expert Jonathan Beacon, reader of marketing and entrepreneurship at the University of South Wales.

"This is a really good initiative and it’s been proven to work elsewhere," he said. "The concept of coming together as local traders to offer something unique and interesting is a great idea.

"But it has to be further developed and happening more often," he said. "Retail is about theatre and entertainment so if you can bring all that together it will give you a vibrant and buzzing city centre."

Alessandro Rimola, who owns Love Fresh, will be offering a free bottle of wine to any customer that spends more than £15 at his stall.

"Days like this make a big difference overall," he said. “You get people visiting who you’ve not seen before and they come back. The food festival was my busiest day of the year and it’s had a knock on effect.

"Customers appreciate that local businesses are a lot more personal. Especially the market, they all know you and you know your customers names and what they want.

"They come in and have a chat with you for ages. You don’t get that at supermarkets. Hopefully they enjoy it and then it becomes a habit for them to come."

It is a view shared by Rob Needham, who works at Needham's fishmongers, owned by his daughter Lisa.

There will be 10 per cent off all purchases for customers but Mr Needham admits that while it’s good to get people in to the centre, it is up to shops and traders to persuade them that it’s worth it.

"We desperately need events like this,” he said. “It gives us something to work towards and helps raise morale among everyone. If it works, then great, but if it doesn’t then we can say we’ve tried.

"We need to produce the goods here," he said. "There’s no good us saying 'shop local' if we can’t produce the quality. We have to offer a personal service.

"We have an opportunity to permanently attract people to the centre at the moment and we have to make sure we take it."

HERE is a list of shops signed up with discounts so far:

City Fashions, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Toy Army, Newport Market - 20 per cent off

Love Fresh, Newport Market - free bottle of wine when £15 spent

Criminal Records, Newport Market - 20 per cent off

Love Me, Newport Market - 20 per cent off

Negative Zone, Newport Market - Comic book set half price

Ben's Bakes, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

BK Spares, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Needhams fishmongers, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Gallery Mobile Phones, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Bits and Bobs, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Curry Kitchen, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Newport Welsh Gifts, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Terry B Crafts, Newport Market - 10 per cent off

Woodstore, Upper Dock Street - 10 per cent off

Jon at the Kiosk, Newport Market - 20 per cent off slush puppies

Optic Shop, High Street - 10 per cent off

Secret Garden Cafe, Charles Street - 10 per cent off

Wildings, Commercial Street - Buy one hot chocolate, get one free