It’s been commented that, upon the termination of land opposite the Craft Centre as a food retail supermarket (viz Tesco’s), Rhuthun/Ruthin will be in the peculiar position of having three supermarkets within 500 yards of each other. This is unusual, indeed. Is it unique? Will it last?
Predictions among locals when Lo-Cost (later Pioneer, then Co-op) had its opening in 1992 on the old Farmers’ Market site, were that the adjacent and outmoded KwikSave would close. Instead, KwikSave flourished and it was Warren’s foodstore (part of the old cinema in Well Street) that went first, followed by others, including Williams fruitiers and florists, Roberts grocers, Crown House Grocers, Aibee’s…
Now, KwikSave’s being transformed into the more upmarket Somerfield (following the merger of the chains as long ago as 1998), and has been closed since Christmas for reburbishment. If the conversion’s anything like at Llanelwy/St Asaph, it should rival Rhuthun/Ruthin’s Co-op but, let’s face it, it’s still in the second division, when compared to the planned Tesco’s.
With three supermarkets in such proximity, what’ll be the prognosis? It won’t be Tesco that’ll close. Somerfield must feel it has a future – why else would it invest, well in advance of Tesco?
Where will this pincer movement leave piggy-in-the-middle Co-op? There were predictions from its owners that it would close upon Tesco’s arrival…
Predictions among locals when Lo-Cost (later Pioneer, then Co-op) had its opening in 1992 on the old Farmers’ Market site, were that the adjacent and outmoded KwikSave would close. Instead, KwikSave flourished and it was Warren’s foodstore (part of the old cinema in Well Street) that went first, followed by others, including Williams fruitiers and florists, Roberts grocers, Crown House Grocers, Aibee’s…
Now, KwikSave’s being transformed into the more upmarket Somerfield (following the merger of the chains as long ago as 1998), and has been closed since Christmas for reburbishment. If the conversion’s anything like at Llanelwy/St Asaph, it should rival Rhuthun/Ruthin’s Co-op but, let’s face it, it’s still in the second division, when compared to the planned Tesco’s.
With three supermarkets in such proximity, what’ll be the prognosis? It won’t be Tesco that’ll close. Somerfield must feel it has a future – why else would it invest, well in advance of Tesco?
Where will this pincer movement leave piggy-in-the-middle Co-op? There were predictions from its owners that it would close upon Tesco’s arrival…