Weekend event to support independent traders

Swansea city centre shoppers are being encouraged to support their independent traders this weekend.

An event complete with live music and stacks of information is being held at the junction of Nelson Street and Union Street on Saturday (September 5) from 10am to 2pm.

The Wave and Swansea Sound will broadcast live from a trailer outside the former Eclipse store as part of the Love Your City campaign spearheaded by The Welsh Assembly Government and Swansea Council.

A town crier will be on hand to attract shoppers to the Plymouth Street, Nelson Street, Lower Oxford Street and arcades area and city centre promotional goody bags will be distributed.

Vouchers offering discounts until October 1 at several independent traders are also being made available and visitors can enter a free prize draw to win a family ticket for the forthcoming Sleeping Beauty panto at the Grand Theatre.

Over 40 children from The Sir Harry Seacombe Trust will also gather outside the promotional trailer at 1pm to perform several classic songs from hit 1980s movie Footloose.

Ros Williams, co-owner of Eden on Plymouth Street, said: "Swansea is a unique city centre in terms of the amount of independent traders and I think this is what makes it special.

"The Plymouth Street area is bustling with independent traders that offer all sorts of different shopping and gift opportunities.

"It's important people remember the independent traders in this part of the city centre and we hope events like this will encourage shoppers to discover what's available and will then plan return visits in future."

Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, said: "These are tough economic times and it's more important than ever to support the city centre's vibrant mix of independent traders.

"Swansea city centre is the regional shopping centre of south west Wales and the balance of independent retailers, major high street names and the historic indoor market helps it stand out from the crowd.

"There are so many interesting stores in the Plymouth Street, Nelson Street and Lower Oxford Street area as well as the arcades where shoppers can peruse products that are not readily available elsewhere.

"I'd urge people to come along to the event on Saturday and discover the area for themselves."