Chepstow women's bid to save local business

Four Chepstow women have joined forces to put together a show that will revitalise retail businesses in the town.

A councillor and local businesswoman; the manager of the town's department store; a council officer; and a member of a local Women's Institute are working to give businesses in Chepstow a chance to show the high quality of shopping that's available.

The group consists of Debbie McCarty, the council's Area Services Office for Monmouth who is also chair of Tutshill Women's Institute; Sally Turner, who manages Monmouthshire's Leisure Centres; and Dee Griffith who runs Herbert Lewis; and Jacqui Sullivan, Councillor for the St Mary's ward in Chepstow, and also owner of Artists Corner.

Councillor Sullivan said:

"We want to put Chepstow on the map and show what it has to offer. We think with the help of people in the town we can beat the economic downturn and get people shopping locally.

"It'll be a night to remember, full of music, fashion shows, shopping and entertainment."

"We have secured a venue in the Leisure Centre that will hold plenty of people and we've booked a number of acts that will help us to celebrate business in Chepstow."

"Tutshill Women's Institute will be coordinating a fashion show that will see local models sporting locally available clothes."

"We've managed to find a fantastic compère in Karl Daymond - Chepstow's critically acclaimed opera singer, who will also make a special appearance as his alter-ego the Rt. Mdm. Rhondda Tannoy  and giving us some hints on what ‘not to wear!' 

"We're all working really hard to make a lasting impression on visitors to Chepstow and residents here. "

Debbie McCarty of Tutshill Women's Institute (WI) said:

"I've got involved with this as a WI member, and one of our campaigns is to get people to ‘shop local'. Our members wanted to do a fashion show and we heard about Jacqui's and Dee's idea we decided to join forces to make it one big event."

The Chepstow showcase takes place on Wednesday 18th November from 5.30pm - 10pm.

Tickets are £6 each, which includes free entry into a grand draw.

For more information about the showcase contact Jacqui Sullivan 01291 627393 or email Dee Griffith at Herbert Lewis on dee.griffith@herbertlewis.com .