A NEW social media campaign designed to increase footfall in towns will be rolled out across retailers in Newport and Ryde.

When tested in other areas, the #WDYT (What do you think?) government-campaign has shown a direct link

between how digitally active a town is and its high street footfall.

Other towns that have piloted the campaign have seen increases of up to 22 per cent in local footfall traffic.

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, Councillor Wayne Whittle, said: “This campaign is a trailblazing opportunity not only to engage shoppers with their local high street through social media, but also to support our local businesses in a very practical way to improve their business reach, their online presence and their digital influence with their customers.”

Launch events for retailers in the two towns take place on the following days:

> February 7 – Quay Arts centre, Newport, 6.30pm

> February 8 – Ryde Castle, Ryde, 7.30am