Market town becomes Britain’s first Eurozone

The latest attempt to win popular support for the euro is to be launched tomorrow with a small market town becoming the UK’s first ‘‘Eurozone’’.

Shops, pubs and restaurants in Llangollen, north Wales, will accept the currency during the eisteddfod, a week-long international music festival which is expected to attract up to 100,000 big-spending European visitors.

The local chamber of trade says 80% of its members have signed up to the scheme, which has won the backing of Europe minister Peter Hain and European Commission vice-president Neil Kinnock.

The project is the idea of local Labour MP Martyn Jones, who said the scheme was primarily designed to help European visitors.

‘‘The response from traders in the town to the Eurozone idea has been fantastic and has far exceeded my expectations,’’ he said.

‘‘The chamber of trade and Tourism Association have pulled out all the stops to educate and familiarise businesses in Llangollen with the currency in time for the launch.

‘‘I believe the creation of the Eurozone will give a huge boost to business in the town. It is all very exciting.’’

The idea has not been welcomed by all the townsfolk, with some local businesses recently organising a street protest.

But Mr Hain, the man charged with selling the idea of the euro to the British people, has welcomed the event.

He said: ‘‘The creation of a temporary Eurozone for the duration of this already successful and popular festival would contribute to a more inclusive event where our Continental neighbours, who have the euro as their national currency, can participate and enjoy, more fully.’’

Mr Kinnock said it would help prove to British people the currency was not something to fear.

‘‘For British people, the euro will be shown to be a usable currency that holds no mysteries and carries no threats. Everyone gains from that,’’ he said.

The project has also won the support of Treasury minister Ruth Kelly.

She said: ‘‘It is self-evident that the euro is affecting Britain and we must offer support to businesses in order to adequately adapt and deal with its impact. This proposal does just that.’’