Since February, Usk has been undergoing a major gas pipes replacement scheme involving extensive road closures and traffic diversions within the town, with a potentially damaging affect on local businesses. A ’shop local’ message has been promoted in the town during this period.

As the gas pipes works nears completion in the town, to further assist local businesses with trade affected by the works, Usk Town Council teamed up with Wales and West Utilities to provide an added shopping incentive scheme for Usk, encouraging residents and visitors to shop in the town for two weeks during May. For every purchase of £10 and over, shoppers received entry into a prize draw to win shopping vouchers to spend in participating Usk outlets.

The “Usk Shopping Spree” draw took place over the weekend, with eleven winners now notified. A few of these live outside Usk - with one winner from Somerset already looking forward to a return visit so that she can spend her vouchers!

A presentation took place in Usk adjacent to the gas pipe works at the junction from Bridge Street into New Market Street when Usk Town Councillors and the mayor, were joined by Wales and West Utilities staff, local business owners and some of the prize winners.

Councillor Jan Richards, who has led the Usk Town Council Gas Pipe Project liaison and the Shopping Spree event, said "We’re very pleased with the responses we’ve had from the majority of local businesses and their customers - having close to 5,000 entries, each representing £10 plus spending over the last two weeks which is equal to a minimum of £50,000 spent in these businesses. Now it’s time for the lucky winners to return to participating shops and services over the next two weeks to spend their vouchers. "

Wales and West Utilities donated £300 towards this initiative, which Usk Town Council matched, leading to the handing out of 3 x £100 vouchers, 4 x £50 and 4 x £25 at today’s presentation.

Usk Town Mayor, Councillor Glenn Roderick, commented "This was a major project with a potentially huge impact on a small town like ours. Local businesses, already struggling to cope with the general demise of the high street, have had to dig deep and work hard during the closures along Bridge Street over the last 12 weeks. This initiative was put in place as a gesture of our thanks for everyone’s patience and resilience - and as a token of the fantastic collaboration between Wales and West Utilities and the Town Council - which has been invaluable in minimising the impact on us all."

This last excavation, scheduled for conclusion in a few days time, is the final piece of the gas pipe replacement work on the main thoroughfare through Usk. It’s "back to normal" then for local shoppers, businesses and those passing through. In the coming days the signs, barriers and machinery will disappear and Usk can once more become The Town of Flowers.