Newport businesses in the running to be named UK's favourite

A new competition has launched to find the UK’s favourite local business, with £2,000 in Newport Now gift cards to be won.

Backed by Newport Now BID, people can nominate their favourite local business in the competition simply by giving the name of the city centre business they think deserves to win and a reason why.

Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels, attractions and services in Newport city centre are all eligible to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026.

The local business named the UK’s favourite via receiving the most nominations in the competition will win a £1,000 Town & City gift card, such as the Newport Now gift card, with one person who nominated the winner receiving a £1,000 gift card.

The Newport Now gift card can be spent with more than 40 businesses in the city, including big brands like Boots, Primark, Wagamama and The Entertainer, and an array of independent businesses such as Bar Piazza, Davies Florist, Le Pub and Diverse Vinyl.

Newport Now BID manager, Kevin Ward, said: “The Newport Now gift card is an initiative to give practical support to businesses in Newport, including the big brands you know and the local businesses you love.

“We’re backing the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 so we can spotlight Newport businesses in this national competition.

“Whether it’s your favourite shop, café, restaurant, salon or pub, take a moment to nominate and be in with a chance of winning a £1,000 Newport Now gift card, and the same for your favourite business to win.”

The Newport Now gift card is part of the multi-award winning Town & City gift cards initiative. More than 27,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programs around the world with more than £69m of cards sold to date.

The UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 launches as new research from Town & City Gift Cards shows soaring support for local businesses.

Some 99% of respondents to the 2026 Town & City Gift Cards survey said supporting local businesses and their community was important to them, with 73% saying it has become more important over the past 12 months.

Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “If there’s one thing that came through strongly in our 2026 research, it’s the support for local.

“Some 20% of respondents said they support local to help their town or city to thrive and 33% to keep the businesses they like open. Nominating a favourite local business in Newport as the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2026 is an easy and free way to show your support for local.”

Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at: www.lovelocalwin.co.uk and watch the video

The competition closes on November 30.