Monmouth MP David Davies is encouraging local traders to enter a UK-wide competition to find the best small shop.
The Best Small Shops Competition celebrates the creativity of smaller retailers and the central role they play in their communities.
A shortlist of 25 of the most impressive applications will be drawn up by a panel of established representatives from the independent retail industry.
The shortlisted small shops will then be invited to a parliamentary reception on 5 November to find out who will be crowned the Best Small Shop 2019.
Judges will be looking for evidence of a small shop’s entrepreneurial spirit, ways that they have been innovative in their business and what they have done to have a lasting positive impact on their community.
Mr Davies said: “There are many excellent independent shops across the constituency who I am sure would impress in this competition with their quality goods, bespoke services and excellent customer care.
“Our high streets are the beating heart of our towns and small retailers are the lifeblood of those high streets.
“It is so important that shopkeepers receive recognition for the brilliant work they do providing vital services all year round and creating local jobs.”
The competition is free and all shops who enter will be promoted to consumers through an online Indie Retail Directory.
Shops can nominate their businesses until Monday 9 September via www.bestsmallshops.co.uk.
The 2018 Best Small Shops Competition was won by the Mainstreet Trading Company based in the rural Scottish Borders.