High street traders in the Vale of Glamorgan have released a music track appealing to residents to shop local this Christmas.

‘Shop Local This Christmas’ which is sung to the tune of John Lennon’s Happy Christmas has been released ahead of Black Friday to encourage residents to visit their local high street in the lead up to Christmas.

The track features traders from across the Vale’s four towns – Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth, along with vocals from students in the Vale Academy of Performing Arts.

The track is musically arranged and produced by Vale of Glamorgan resident Matthew Brind, an internationally renowned composer, conductor and arranger, who has worked on Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, America’s Got Talent and a number of West End Musicals.

After COVID restrictions forced retailers to close early last Christmas, pandemic-hit shops across the Vale of Glamorgan are calling for local support this year.

It is the latest in a Vale Town Centres campaign by Vale of Glamorgan Council encouraging residents to support local traders in Cowbridge, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major.

Musical producer, Matthew Brind said: “I’m lucky to work all over the world but it’s been amazing to work right here in my local community to highlight what brilliant local businesses we have. It’s so important to support each other this Christmas and I hope that the track encourages people to shop local.”

Singer Emily Langford who runs independent pizzeria The Yard in Cowbridge said: “It was great to be a part of the Christmas video with such a friendly community of local businesses. Hopefully the public will enjoy our efforts and support us this Christmas.”

Cllr Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, from the Council said: “While this song is a bit of fun, it has a really important message. High street traders across the Vale support our local economy and support our local community. It’s really important that we support them this Christmas. We hope that this music track and video encourages residents to shop local, spend local, eat local and enjoy local this Christmas.”

This project is part of the wider Vale Town Centres campaign, co-ordinated by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and funded through Welsh Government, Transforming Towns funding.

To view the Shop Local This Christmas music video head to Vale Town Centre’s Facebook page @ValeTownCentres.