LAST week the Free Press launched a campaign in a a bid to support the town centres and high streets across Torfaen.

Your High Street: Use it or Lose it aims to raise awareness of independent businesses, putting a spotlight on often overlooked venues and services that give our high streets their unique flavour.

Following our launch, many traders have got in touch suggesting their ideas and vision for transforming perceptions of local businesses and changing high streets for the better.

On Friday, September 16, around 40 traders flocked to the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran, for that very reason at the first ever 'Torfaen Business Expo'.

Hosted by ‘The Best of Torfaen’, the event gave several businesses the opportunity to take centre stage and showcase their ideas, innovations and business practices.

It was also officially opened by Torfaen’s MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds, who saw the expo as a “great opportunity to showcase and appreciate Torfaen’s fantastic businesses”.

“Local businesses are the life-blood of our economy and the heart of our local communities,” he said.

“It is vital that we continue to support these local businesses as it is crucial to keeping money in our communities.”

On the day, the event hosted everything from florists and entertainers to award-winning massage therapists and gourmet coffee sellers.

Local businesses also benefited as some of Torfaen’s most recommended business services were there, from web designers, printers and marketing firms to IT suppliers, copywriters and bookkeepers.

For many business owners on the day, the solution to increasing footfall in Torfaen’s high streets is about fostering a positive, active and enterprising attitude.

Stacey Grout, of ‘Flowers By Stacey’, opened her business four years ago and was initially told that “she wouldn’t last six months”.

Now in its fourth year, the Blaenavon-based shop is co-owned by Stacey Grout and Chris Dukes. They both believe that a strong web presence is key in today’s high street environment.

“There are traders who have been on the high street for a while and feel that they don’t have to interact with anyone and others get brought into that negativity,” Ms Grout said.

“Today it’s all about being on the internet and going out there and fighting for every bit of custom. You can’t wait for people to come to you."

“People are never going to know who you are unless you tell them,” she added.

Paul Sparey, of Python I.T, recently opened a computer repair shop in Abersychan last year and believes levels of rent are one of the key motivators for attracting businesses to town centres.

“Pontypool could probably do with a few more shops as there are a lot of boarded up shops there,” he said.

“I know it’s a sticky subject but rent is not cheap in places like Pontypool so it would be great if the council could introduce some type of subsidy and why shouldn’t existing businesses get it?

“If you are given the choice between Pontypool and Cwmbran as a business, you’re going to go with the one that has the biggest footfall.”

Blaenavon-based business, Arty Craftie, also attended the expo and believe it is important for business to ‘shout about their achievements’.

The business, ran by Nick and Wendy Horler, supplies arts and crafts materials as well as offering professional photography studio services.

They are also hoping to receive national recognition after entering their business into 'The Great British High Street Awards'.

Mr Horler said: “We work very closely in the community and are on many committees that are focused on encouraging footfall into the town and to support and build on the strong community spirit that is felt there."

“It's important to shout out about the special World Heritage Town and to make folk aware of the individuality of their shops and other shops that are in the main street in Blaenavon."

The event was also attended by representatives of the Friends of Pontypool Town, an action group who are campaigning to increase footfall and attention in the town with events and a positive attitude.

A spokeswoman said: "We recognise that by working together we can help improve our town for the benefit of all [...]town centres are changing and we need to adapt to the change to ensure they remain a hub of the community with social, cultural and trade events and activities at the heart."

Reflecting on the expo,‘Best of Torfaen’ director, Steve Gregory added: “We have some amazing businesses in Torfaen and a real variety of trades, products and services.

"The expo was a great opportunity to meet them, and an opportunity to buy local [...] Many of the exhibitors run high street shops in Torfaen, and it was a good way for them to reach new customers.”

We want high street businesses across Torfaen to get in touch and tell us your story.

Call Chris Binding on 01633777251 or email cbi@southwalesargus.co.uk .