Easter Day and it hardly seems like yesterday that we tore down the Christmas decorations. And we have Christmas weather too…
It just goes to show that sometimes you can’t win. Last Christmas, Ruthin Vision put together a series of events to lure people into Rhuthun. The Nadolig Rhuthun entertainments were equally designed to stop the drift away from Rhuthun to larger centres nearby. The scale and imagination had been like no other.
But let’s be honest, it didn’t work, not totally. There were some appreciative comments on the Saturday before Christmas and at least one letter of thanks in the newspaper. For one thing, the terrible weather on Saturday was somewhat against the town. And traders felt that the town was ‘closed’ for business because much of it was pedestrianised. This caused resentment.
But in the face of poor trading conditions, some people were prepared to try. And we’re sure that the experience has been a learning one for those involved. They should not easily give up because in the face of large town & city centres and out-of-town retail parks, how else can Rhthun compete? The fact remains that Rhuthun needs to offer something different. A diverse pool of independent shops, however unique, will these days not of itself be sufficient in keeping expenditure within the town, when other centres beckon.
The biggest beef from some traders – many traders? – was what they called the unnecessary closure to traffic on the one busiest day of the year. Was this strictly necessary? It certainly was a gamble.
What might Ruthin Vision consider for next year? May we offer some suggestions?
It just goes to show that sometimes you can’t win. Last Christmas, Ruthin Vision put together a series of events to lure people into Rhuthun. The Nadolig Rhuthun entertainments were equally designed to stop the drift away from Rhuthun to larger centres nearby. The scale and imagination had been like no other.But let’s be honest, it didn’t work, not totally. There were some appreciative comments on the Saturday before Christmas and at least one letter of thanks in the newspaper. For one thing, the terrible weather on Saturday was somewhat against the town. And traders felt that the town was ‘closed’ for business because much of it was pedestrianised. This caused resentment.
But in the face of poor trading conditions, some people were prepared to try. And we’re sure that the experience has been a learning one for those involved. They should not easily give up because in the face of large town & city centres and out-of-town retail parks, how else can Rhthun compete? The fact remains that Rhuthun needs to offer something different. A diverse pool of independent shops, however unique, will these days not of itself be sufficient in keeping expenditure within the town, when other centres beckon.
The biggest beef from some traders – many traders? – was what they called the unnecessary closure to traffic on the one busiest day of the year. Was this strictly necessary? It certainly was a gamble.
What might Ruthin Vision consider for next year? May we offer some suggestions?
- Build on existing strengths. Concentrate on the Saturday (rather than Saturday and Sunday/Thursday evenings). The last Saturday is *the* day, one that should be enhanced.
- Keep Well Street and Clwyd Street open.
- Any extra stalls and entertainments could be placed on a closed upper part of Market Street. And what about a hog roast there? Such a closure does not impede parking (as this length is subject to double yellow lines) or access (Well and Clwyd Streets remaining open).
- Consider closing St Peter’s Square but only from the clock tower memorial to post office. It’s happened before. It loses just six car park spaces, maintains access to Clwyd & Well Streets, but enables stalls and ents.
- Involve as many local primary and secondary children in entertainment as possible. Children bring with them their parents. Parents ring their wallets.