By Newport Now Business Improvement District manager Kevin Ward

EVERYONE at the BID was disappointed the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon, due to take place on March 4, fell victim to the snow.

The BID was funding a big screen on the finish line – a first for the St David’s Hospice Care event – and BID Levy payers were taking advantage of free advertising on the screen.

We are delighted that an alternative date has already been announced for March 18.

The next major event involving the BID is the Record Store Day Festival on the night of Saturday, April 21. Organised by Diverse Vinyl on Charles Street and funded by the BID, the free music festival takes place at six venues.

A total of 29 bands, solo artists and spoken word performers will be on stage at Le Pub, Slipping Jimmy’s, the Murenger, Newport Market Gallery, Tiny Rebel and McCann’s Rock n Ale Bar. Entry is free and audiences can move between venues to catch as many acts as possible.

RSD promotes independent record stores across the UK and many top music acts put out limited edition vinyl releases to mark the day.

Meanwhile, the BID and the organisers of the ABP Wales Marathon, which takes place in Newport on April 29, will be announcing an exciting partnership later this month.

It’s Mothers’ Day on Sunday, March 11. Why not support Newport city centre at the same time by buying her a Newport Now gift card?

Available from www.newportgiftcard.co.uk, Liverton Opticians and the Riverfront Theatre, the cards can be spent at more than 70 city centre businesses.