Headlines at Tesco Rhuthun’s second anniversary (today):
The last two years have seen many changes within the town, some positive, some negative, some spectacular. The closure of Somerfield 565 days after Tesco and the opening three weeks later of B & M Bargains fits the last category. But all the other changes are no less newsworthy.
Reebee’s grocery was the first casualty, blaming its closure on Tesco (and car parking). It closed just 68 days after Tesco. Its florist business remains open. Reebee’s was the town’s last standalone, six-day-a-week greengrocer. There had previously been a post-Lo-cost (Co-op) grocer & butcher shakeout.
Convenience shopping was likely to be the most vulnerable, post-Tesco and Reebee’s wasn’t the only convenience outlet to close. It took 278 days to see Newyddion Rhuthun News close, leaving Castle Bell as the sole town centre newsagent (and that was up for sale last spring). Tesco was never officially blamed for Newyddion Rhuthun's closure, though the noticeably reduced numbers in the town affected this and most shops. Neither was the blame for Oddbins' closure laid at Tesco's door, 453 days post-Tesco but, with the range of wines and beers on sale over two long Tesco aisles, plus considerable Tesco discounting for bulk, there can be no doubting that Tesco played its part.
Indeed, it is that reduced footfall that has contributed to a number of comparison town centre shops closing though in part this is balanced by new business ventures. In fact, the whole town is somewhat fluid at the moment, with a huge number of changes. The last twelve months have seen pluses and minuses on a grand scale, with further closures and openings pending. Some of this will be the start of a recession but this surely has only begun to bite in the last two to three months.
Comparing the number of vacant business units (mainly shops) within the town centre, we see that pre-Tesco the number was at an all time low of just 11. This does not include long-standing vacant premises converted to or amalgamated into residential properties—there have been a high number over the years. The total *does* include the likes of the former Banton optician that lay fallow for many years before recently being readied as a unit to let, though it's not occupied.
Six months after Tesco and the number of empty premises had increased to 14—between a quarter & a third increase. A year after Tesco and this number was static, though some premises had switched sides to or from vacancies. 18 months post-Tesco and empty premises had increased to 16 and, today, two years after Tesco, the number stands at 22, double the pre-Tesco quantum.
This is the most significant measure of Tesco's presence. Speak to traders and you will know that they feel the number of people in town has fallen, post-Tesco. It becomes obvious that this should lead to a direct reduction on the number of businesses. The number of comparison stores outlets has reduced by some 10 per cent.
There are currently 21 convenience stores in the town, including Tesco, B & M and Co-op. This figure includes Sweetie Heaven and Leonardo's, two very specialist food retailers who
are on the margins of being comparison outlets. Leonardo's laid off staff soon after Tesco opened and has reduced its floorspace, albeit marginally. The number includes Threshers, who've been through turbulent times in Rhuthun, and Fineline, who've moved to larger premises. Even the WI Country Market's contracted and its takings are down, post-Tesco.
Pre-Tesco, the number of convenience shopping outlets was... 23, almost exactly the same. How so? Celebration Foods, Reebee's, Ruthin News and Oddbins have all closed. All sold food and drink of some sort, including confectionary.
In their place has come convenience shops such as The Key Shop (moved from Lôn Parcwr industrial estate) and Nancherrow Sandwiches. Four true convenience shops replaced by one. There have been shops such as Pam's Sandwiches that have opened and closed in between.
- Number of A1 retail premises down by 9 per cent
- Doubling in the number of empty town centre properties
- Large food supermarket replaced by department store
The last two years have seen many changes within the town, some positive, some negative, some spectacular. The closure of Somerfield 565 days after Tesco and the opening three weeks later of B & M Bargains fits the last category. But all the other changes are no less newsworthy.Reebee’s grocery was the first casualty, blaming its closure on Tesco (and car parking). It closed just 68 days after Tesco. Its florist business remains open. Reebee’s was the town’s last standalone, six-day-a-week greengrocer. There had previously been a post-Lo-cost (Co-op) grocer & butcher shakeout.
Convenience shopping was likely to be the most vulnerable, post-Tesco and Reebee’s wasn’t the only convenience outlet to close. It took 278 days to see Newyddion Rhuthun News close, leaving Castle Bell as the sole town centre newsagent (and that was up for sale last spring). Tesco was never officially blamed for Newyddion Rhuthun's closure, though the noticeably reduced numbers in the town affected this and most shops. Neither was the blame for Oddbins' closure laid at Tesco's door, 453 days post-Tesco but, with the range of wines and beers on sale over two long Tesco aisles, plus considerable Tesco discounting for bulk, there can be no doubting that Tesco played its part.
Indeed, it is that reduced footfall that has contributed to a number of comparison town centre shops closing though in part this is balanced by new business ventures. In fact, the whole town is somewhat fluid at the moment, with a huge number of changes. The last twelve months have seen pluses and minuses on a grand scale, with further closures and openings pending. Some of this will be the start of a recession but this surely has only begun to bite in the last two to three months.
Comparing the number of vacant business units (mainly shops) within the town centre, we see that pre-Tesco the number was at an all time low of just 11. This does not include long-standing vacant premises converted to or amalgamated into residential properties—there have been a high number over the years. The total *does* include the likes of the former Banton optician that lay fallow for many years before recently being readied as a unit to let, though it's not occupied.
Six months after Tesco and the number of empty premises had increased to 14—between a quarter & a third increase. A year after Tesco and this number was static, though some premises had switched sides to or from vacancies. 18 months post-Tesco and empty premises had increased to 16 and, today, two years after Tesco, the number stands at 22, double the pre-Tesco quantum.
This is the most significant measure of Tesco's presence. Speak to traders and you will know that they feel the number of people in town has fallen, post-Tesco. It becomes obvious that this should lead to a direct reduction on the number of businesses. The number of comparison stores outlets has reduced by some 10 per cent.
There are currently 21 convenience stores in the town, including Tesco, B & M and Co-op. This figure includes Sweetie Heaven and Leonardo's, two very specialist food retailers who
are on the margins of being comparison outlets. Leonardo's laid off staff soon after Tesco opened and has reduced its floorspace, albeit marginally. The number includes Threshers, who've been through turbulent times in Rhuthun, and Fineline, who've moved to larger premises. Even the WI Country Market's contracted and its takings are down, post-Tesco.
Pre-Tesco, the number of convenience shopping outlets was... 23, almost exactly the same. How so? Celebration Foods, Reebee's, Ruthin News and Oddbins have all closed. All sold food and drink of some sort, including confectionary.
In their place has come convenience shops such as The Key Shop (moved from Lôn Parcwr industrial estate) and Nancherrow Sandwiches. Four true convenience shops replaced by one. There have been shops such as Pam's Sandwiches that have opened and closed in between.