With the tree on St Peter's Square coming down today and signalling the end of Christmas, now seems a good time to look back at 2006, one of the most eventful years in Rhuthun’s recent history. Here’s why.
January – Kwiksave reopens after a pre-Tesco Somerfield makeover.
February – the £4mil Craft Centre redevelopment project is delayed over a funding shortfall.
March – Property developers Cathco mobilise on the vacant site opposite the Craft Centre. KwikSave announces it is to close its Denbigh store. Meanwhile, Tesco seeks permission to expand, even before it’s built.
May – Rhuthun becomes Festival Town as Eisteddfod yr Urdd arrives – as do over 100,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the Tesco machine starts to recruit.
June – Tesco’s offer Rhuthun £10,000 to spend on what it wishes. Meanwhile, Greenfield Road residents complain about Tesco’s ugly rear and its above-roofline sign.
July – Tesco opens on 31st, a day that will go down in Rhuthun’s history. But, some five minutes after its grand opening, a Tesco fire alarm sends its jubilant first customers back outside. Temperatures at Brynhyfryd sore to 33C. Meanwhile, Co-op resurfaces its car park and Tesco lowers its sign.
September – It emerges that there is considerable deviation in the numbers of jobs reported at Rhuthun’s Tesco. Meanwhile, this site wondered whether Rhuthun should join the “slow towns” network.
October – The county council spectacularly voted against Tesco’s Rhuthun expansion, as Reebee’s grocery closes, blaming Tesco*. Post-Tesco town trade is reported down by 15-20 per cent. Meanwhile, this site suggested a solution to car parking charges to the benefit of all.
November – the road to Tesco (the northern link road) finally opened. The county council gives approval to the 14 acre first phase of the associated Glasdir housing development, for which Taylor Woodrow paid £7mil. Following police objections, the Venue’s proprietor offers a hollow threat to close. Meanwhile, this site suggested ways of marketing the town better.
December – Rhuthun largely fails to respond to the call to arms following an innovative campaign & huge effort to attract late night shoppers. The Craft Centre closes for the last time before redevelopment. Tesco strengthens its regional position with the conclusion of a seven-year fight to develop in Prestatyn. Meanwhile, this site seems to have landed in hot water in a local newspaper for purportedly spreading “an air of despondency” – but the site’s authors ask visitors judge for themselves.
* Reebee’s florist remains open. Article in Free Press blamed Tesco
January – Kwiksave reopens after a pre-Tesco Somerfield makeover.
February – the £4mil Craft Centre redevelopment project is delayed over a funding shortfall.
March – Property developers Cathco mobilise on the vacant site opposite the Craft Centre. KwikSave announces it is to close its Denbigh store. Meanwhile, Tesco seeks permission to expand, even before it’s built.
May – Rhuthun becomes Festival Town as Eisteddfod yr Urdd arrives – as do over 100,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the Tesco machine starts to recruit.
June – Tesco’s offer Rhuthun £10,000 to spend on what it wishes. Meanwhile, Greenfield Road residents complain about Tesco’s ugly rear and its above-roofline sign.
July – Tesco opens on 31st, a day that will go down in Rhuthun’s history. But, some five minutes after its grand opening, a Tesco fire alarm sends its jubilant first customers back outside. Temperatures at Brynhyfryd sore to 33C. Meanwhile, Co-op resurfaces its car park and Tesco lowers its sign.September – It emerges that there is considerable deviation in the numbers of jobs reported at Rhuthun’s Tesco. Meanwhile, this site wondered whether Rhuthun should join the “slow towns” network.
October – The county council spectacularly voted against Tesco’s Rhuthun expansion, as Reebee’s grocery closes, blaming Tesco*. Post-Tesco town trade is reported down by 15-20 per cent. Meanwhile, this site suggested a solution to car parking charges to the benefit of all.
November – the road to Tesco (the northern link road) finally opened. The county council gives approval to the 14 acre first phase of the associated Glasdir housing development, for which Taylor Woodrow paid £7mil. Following police objections, the Venue’s proprietor offers a hollow threat to close. Meanwhile, this site suggested ways of marketing the town better.
December – Rhuthun largely fails to respond to the call to arms following an innovative campaign & huge effort to attract late night shoppers. The Craft Centre closes for the last time before redevelopment. Tesco strengthens its regional position with the conclusion of a seven-year fight to develop in Prestatyn. Meanwhile, this site seems to have landed in hot water in a local newspaper for purportedly spreading “an air of despondency” – but the site’s authors ask visitors judge for themselves.
* Reebee’s florist remains open. Article in Free Press blamed Tesco
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