WE WOULD like to say a big well done to all of those connected with this year’s Newport Food Festival.

You did the city proud.

The fifth year of the event proved to be a real crowd puller And there was a great buzz around the city centre on Saturday as thousands of people visited to try the many and varied foods on offer, to watch the demonstrations and to just soak up the atmosphere.

What was so positive, and proof perhaps that Newport is definitely a changing place, was that so many of the stalls were showcasing local businesses – and that the standard was so high.

What was also apparent to anyone walking around the festival and through the city centre that the event has a great knock-on effect for other businesses.

The indoor market was packed, with some traders doing a roaring trade and saying they always have a really busy day during the festival.

The almost-complete Friars Walk development was attracting a lot of interest.

And the overall feeling in the city centre on Saturday was one of a city which is rapidly becoming one which has a great deal to offer shoppers and visitors.

It was also promising to see so many new small businesses in Newport either recently opened or about to open in coming weeks.

This is a great event which has the potential to get bigger in the coming years.