Support local businesses

Support your local businesses, that's the message to Newtown residents and other businesses in the area as lockdown restrictions end.

With Christmas around the corner, Newtown retailers and other businesses are hoping people will return to the shops, socially distances, to purchase not just essentials, but Christmas gifts, clothes and other items available throughout the town.

For the past two weeks non-essential businesses, including most local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars have been closed.

Today is the first time people will be permitted to go out to shops for non-essential items as well as meeting people from more than one household.

Businesses throughout the town centre will open their doors today, although Powys County Council chiefs are urging people to ensure they maintain social distancing and other regulations brought in by the Welsh Government.

It comes as Covid-19 numbers in Newtown stabilised slightly following a rise in cases before the lockdown.