Chain Store for Rhuthun?

Rhuthun / Ruthin can exclusively reveal that a major nationally known high street chain is considering investing in Rhuthun.

The sale of Castle Bell News (formerly Williams) in Clwyd Street as a going concern is likely to pass to none other than Britain’s biggest newsagent, W H Smith.

A W H Smith spokesman said, “I can confirm an interest in what is currently the Castle Bell newsagents, Ruthin. Our plans involve retaining the newsagent business but expanding it to the vacant premises on either side of it. We intend to open up some first floor space for a range of books, DVDs and stationery.”

It seems likely, then, that the proposal will recycle the vacant Ragazzi shop on one side and the old Bradford & Bingley building society agent on the other. The former building society agent vacated its premises many years ago.

The W H Smith spokesman added, “We are currently negotiating with the highways authority for on street parking outside the new store. We are confident that our proposals will find favour. These are to slightly widen the pavement on the Castle Bell side and remove it altogether on the opposite side, thereby enabling on street parking. This is integral to the store’s success. Without parking, our plans cannot proceed.”

One town community leader, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “I do have concerns about the affect W H Smith might have on smaller businesses but I also look forward to Smith’s coming to Rhuthun because I am fed up with always missing my free Daily Mail DVD on offer exclusively from Smith’s.” It seems that the Mail has periodic offers of free DVDs that can only be redeemed at branches of W H Smith. The nearest is currently in Yr Wyddgrud/Mold, which opened a couple of years ago.

Update at 0500 2/4/07: for the avoidance of doubt, this post was an April fool