A NEW initiative has been launched to support independent town centre businesses.

This Saturday, May 26, first shoppers to Wrexham will receive a free goody bag containing numerous gifts and special offers from local businesses.

Local maker and Ms Flamingo owner, Sharon Rogers has organised a free goody bag for the first 20 shoppers to Wrexham on Saturday.

Collectively with numerous local businesses, craft groups and artists she has put together a goody bag containing gifts, leaflets and original artwork.

Sharon came up with the goodie bag idea last year with the aim to attract more people into town for festivals and pop up events and has been busy organising and contacting local businesses ever since.

Saturday will see the first test of the project.

Speaking about the project, Sharon said: “I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support from local businesses and that of local crafters, makers and artists. Over a dozen businesses have donated gifts or vouchers.

"I’m grateful not just to them but to the group, Girls Who Make and the artists who have volunteered their time to decorate the goody bags.”

The 20 goody bags will be on a first come-first serve basis and one bag per group.

And 10 of the goody bags will be at Sharon’s ‘Ms Flamingo’ stall at the town's regular street festival from 10am, with the location of the other 10 bags to be announced on Saturday morning.

Sharon added that she hopes this can become a bi-monthly event.