AN initiative to boost local trade in the lead-up to Christmas was hailed a success today.

Thousands of shoppers descended on Newport City Centre as small, independent businesses joined forces to promote a “Shop Local” event.

Newport Mayor Matthew Evans unveiled a boutique at Kingsway Shopping Centre, Rogerstone pupils sang carols at Newport Indoor Market and shoppers browsed through the stalls of a Christmas market today.

Cllr Evans said: “Newport is moving forward and there is a fabulous range of shopping offers growing throughout the city.

“This morning I opened a new boutique at Kingsway Shopping Centre called La Belle Femme – The Beautiful Woman.

“It is just fantastic to see new, independent traders open in the city.

“They are the lifeblood of the economy.

“Initiatives like today send that message home.

“Having walked around and visited all the stores, traders seem to be in a buoyant mood.

“Initiatives like this are proving to be hugely successful.”

Newport Rises, a group of Newportonians wishing to see the city rise to its full potential, spent months organising the event.

Founding member Jonathan Powell, 37, said: “It’s brilliant. It’s absolutely fantastic. There is a great turnout.

“Events like these are so important for the city centre.”

Antonio Rimola, 27, of the Love Fresh fruit and veg store at Newport Indoor Market, said: “There is a nice atmosphere. It’s really good. People are walking through in a really good mood. It puts a smile on people’s faces.”

Caerleon shopper Linda Cocking said: “It’s fantastic. It is just what we need before Christmas. They could do it more often. It is a nice surprise.”

English teacher Sam Bigwood, 20, added: “The music is very good. It makes people feel better.”

Newport Rises member, Cllr Chris Evans, acknowledged the £90m Friars Walk shopping centre set to open in the city centre next year could be a new chapter for Newportonians, but stressed that independent traders were equally important.

He told the Argus: “A lot of traders are reporting a very busy day and that’s what it’s about.

“Friars Walk is all part of the story. It’s great to have a shopping centre.

“The city’s narrative story is constantly evolving.

“It’s great to have big brands but you need the backbone of the economy.

“Some traders, these families have been here for hundreds of years.

“It is all part of a mature city at ease with itself.”