EVENTS to promote a shop local weekend are being held in Newport as part of a national campaign to encourage the use of small businesses.

Small Business Saturday (SBS) originated in the States in 2010 and arrived in the UK in 2013.

The event, which takes place across the UK on December 5, is seen as the biggest day of the year for small businesses.

The day aims to increase revenue for local small businesses, encourage consumers to promote the benefits of shopping locally and raise awareness of local entrepreneurs and help local businesses build up longer-term trade by attracting new customers.

Newport NOW, the business improvement organisation based in the city centre, is working with local traders, Newport City Homes and Newport Rises to go one day further and have a shop local weekend to be held on December 5 and 6.

A Christmas market is planned on Bridge Street on December 5 from 10am to 4pm and a Christmas antique, crafts and collectors fair is being held in Charles Street on December 6th December 10am to 4pm.

The chairman of Newport Now, Alan Edwards, is encouraging both local businesses and consumers to get behind the initiative.

He said: “The opening of Friars Walk is a fantastic development for the city attracting lots of new visitors. Raising awareness of what smaller businesses offer will be important at this exciting time.”

It is planned that Newport Shop Local weekend becomes an annual event and aims to help Newport residents rediscover the delights of its local shops, which are the very heart of its high streets and communities.

The campaign is also an effort to get consumers to understand the significant, positive effect their local spending can have in their communities at a key time in the shopping calendar.

Local businesses, including restaurants, wholesalers, pubs, beauty salons to local shops, manufacturers, and family-run enterprises, can participate in the campaign by offering promotions, deals and complimentary services to entice people to shop with them on the day and in the run up to Christmas.

Offers and activities can include a complimentary drink with a meal, a discount on a particular item or service, offering customers festive snacks or a glass of mulled wine while they shop, buy one get one free offers or in store entertainment.

Businesses can email their offer stating how long they would like it to run for and Newport Now will spread the word via social media and distribute flyers to promote the campaign.

Businesses wishing to participate should email their Shop local weekend offer or giveaway to chris.ashman@themeans.co.uk or tweet their Shop Local weekend promotions to @newportnow