The Step Into Nevill Street campaign has gained attention from Abergavenny residents since its launch last week. The trail which has seen independent businesses design their own festive wooden reindeer representing their shop to form a reindeer trail through the centre of Abergavenny in hopes of encouraging residents to support local businesses this festive period.
With help from Nevill Street traders, the campaign has been arranged by Chris Jones, a local Place Practitioner with 30 years’ experience in town centre development and rural development programmes in towns and communities. All local businesses played a key role in designing and distributing the handcrafted reindeer to promoting the trail through social media.
Each local business has designed their own reindeer that represents the local products they sell. This includes creations from Cooks Galley which shows a reindeer wearing a chef’s apron on – representing their locally made kitchenware and utensils and the Wool Croft showcasing a reindeer with a festively knitted Christmas jumper.
As part of the campaign, shoppers can also be in with a chance of winning vouchers and a festive Christmas hamper made by local businesses by joining the Nevill Street trail. Residents can earn stamps by visiting the independent businesses along Nevill Street where after five stamps you can enter the free prize draw with winners announced on 21st December.
The Mayor of Abergavenny, Tudor Thomas, has thanked Chris along with all businesses on Nevill Street for their fantastic work in making Abergavenny a more vibrant town. Speaking at the launch of the trail, Councillor Thomas said: “It’s such a great effort from the shop owners and local businesses along this unique street. There is a huge drive to keep towns busy and support independent businesses at this important time of year. Our local businesses are the lifeblood of a town like Abergavenny and we need to do all we can to support them. I would also encourage families to pop down to take part in the trail as there are some fantastic creations to find and it’s a great way to get everyone into the festive spirit.”
The events on Nevill Street continue throughout December. On the 8th December local businesses will be open for late night shopping to allow shoppers to get their locally-made Christmas gifts ready for the big day. From 12:00-13:00 every Wednesday – Friday, Marlows Place is hosting Christmas Craft & Lunch for all in Abergavenny to enjoy. Residents also have the opportunity to have breakfast with Father Christmas himself every Saturday in the lead up to Christmas at Marlows Place. Food and Live music can also be enjoyed on Saturday 11th December at the Trading Post.
The campaign comes at a great time, as Monmouthshire County Council encourages residents to shop locally by announcing free weekend parking in all council owned car parks throughout December, up to and including boxing day.
You can see the Nevill Street trail virtually by following the Facebook page here: https://bit.ly/3GimN2x
