LEADING Newport businesses heard first-hand about the aims of the #backingnewport campaign.

South Wales Argus MD Hussain Bayoomi accepted an invitation from Kymin MD Robin Hall to explain the new drive to boost the city to Newport businesses.

Hussain said the initiative had already been very well received by businesses in the city who are looking to support the fortunes of Newport in any way that they can.

The newspaper’s MD revealed the three month campaign, as well as supporting city businesses through promotional exposure in paper and online, also included the development of an app to help sustain and support business growth in the city.

Hussain said: “The #backingnewport campaign is about identifying exactly what we can do to help and support our businesses through exciting new partnerships and collective working.”

Hussain said it was also about boosting the perception of the city and engaging with all the city’s citizens in new and innovative ways.

Robin Hall, who hosted the meeting at the financial services firm’s offices at Bridge Street, Newport, said: “We, along with all the rest of the businesses in the room and the very many others in the city, all want to see the best for our city and are therefore keen to support initiatives such as this one just launched by the South Wales Argus.”

Businesses and organisations represented at the meeting included Kymin, Everett Tomlin Lloyd & Pratt Solicitors, Harding Evans, Hutchings and Thomas Chartered Surveyors, Paul Fosh Auctions, Newport Now, St David’s Hospice Care and David Barnes Public Relations. #backingnewport.