A regional Assembly Member and UKIP Wales spokesperson for agriculture and rural affairs is urging more local people to buy from local shops.
Neil Hamilton AM is backing a national initiative to encourage shoppers to buy local and recently visited a Newtown butcher's shop to purchase local produce while in the town.
He said: “This is a splendid idea and I strongly support any initiative which helps to promote our excellent local produce and goods here in Wales.
“The Christmas advert which features real shopkeepers, including a butcher and baker, comes at a time when supporting local businesses on our high streets is extremely important to help them capture as much as possible of the additional Christmas spend.
“Last weekend was Small Business Saturday. I always welcome this annual event and hope it inspires people not only to support the campaign but to buy locally sourced food and goods from their community all year round.
“Small Business Saturday UK is a great initiative which has proved highly successful in giving a boost to local economies. It is vital that we have unique small independent shops in our midst where we can buy high-quality items. But we all must use them, not only at Christmas but all year round to ensure their survival.”
Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, is running the national television adverts putting the spotlight on real shopkeepers on the high street.
Visa is switching the focus of the traditional format of a Christmas marketing campaign, from what people are buying or who they are buying for, to where they are buying, encouraging shoppers to support their high streets and local communities this year.
Research, commissioned by Visa, shows that four out of five, 81% of shoppers would miss the high street if it was no longer there.
The campaign builds on Visa’s sponsorship of the Great British High Street Awards 2018 in which Welshpool was a national finalist.
Photo: Neil Hamilton AM and his wife Christine shopping local in Newtown
