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Significant Implications

We now know what we really knew already (or suspected)—Tesco is coming to Dinbych/Denbigh. Wow. That’ll be two Tesco's within eight miles of each other. No surprise there, as the developer Cathco has a strong relationship with Tesco—and developed Lôn Parcwr for Tesco in Rhuthun.

In a miracle of modern technology, the press release issued yesterday morning by PR company Pottenger Bell managed to squeeze its way into today’s Free Press but only on page 3. We’ll have to see whether the Vale Advertiser, a paper having the benefit of waiting a day for the whole week’s news, carries this and comment on its front page.

First, the facts:
  • The anchor store at the former KwikSave site will be Tesco—with a store of approximately 4,650 square metres.
  • 19 other retail units and licensed restaurant/café bar will also be available, nine of which are small enough to attract independent retailers.
But what are the implications for Rhuthun? We said in September, “It’s quite possible that the future of Rhuthun now depends not only on Tesco but also on developments in Dinbych.” News from Dinbych quite possibly poses the greatest challenge for Rhuthun town centre since Rhuthun’s own Tesco development. Why?
  1. Tesco in Rhuthun currently attracts people from Dinbych. There’s a chance that they subsequently visit the town centre—at least from time to time. Tesco Dinbych will in future stem this source of revenue for the town of Rhuthun.
  2. Tesco in Rhuthun will be smaller than at Dinbych—even if Rhuthun’s extension goes ahead. It’s conceivable some people will transfer their allegiance from Rhuthun to Dinbych, by-passing Rhuthun town centre as well. Along with some of the townspeople of Rhuthun, it will include those from Rhewl, Llandyrnog, Gellifor and Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch.
  3. Ten stores supporting Tesco Dinbych—perhaps household names and chains—and nine smaller premises are likely to add weight to a shopping migration from Rhuthun to Dinbych. People may decide to shop at the former KwikSave site in its own right, even if they don’t touch Tesco. Henceforward, Dinbych’s old station yard could become a one-stop-shop for food and other shopping.
  4. People in Dinbych currently have a smaller choice of shops than in Rhuthun. No doubt a number already travel to Y Rhyl for their day-to-day needs. But some shoppers will travel south. Remember the lady who preferred Rhuthun because she couldn’t buy knickers in Dinbych but she could in Rhuthun’s Ethel Austin? The advantage may soon shift to Dinbych. The KwikSave site will no doubt feature electrical, clothing and household goods—as well as Tesco.
Two other issues. Those people who feel that adjacent Tesco stores will simply rob from each other misunderstand Tesco’s plans. Tesco looks for market dominance and share and it is less interested in whether one store poaches from another. The other is that, so far at least, the old station yard development in Dinbych is seemingly attractive to its own people. The town looks certain to welcome the overall development (with some misgivings as well). We suggested why in September.

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