The Saturday before Christmas is always an important day. Town traders felt that last year’s was hampered by Gweledigaeth Rhuthun/Ruthin Vision’s Nadolig Rhuthun. A year ago, you may recall that although the organisers maintained access to all car parks, they closed the main streets.
Then, there were horror stories. This year, the town was keen not repeat them. The Mari Lwyd parade, expounded last year as a new tradition, is no longer.
But was it any better this year?
Well, as usual, it’s difficult to judge. Last year, it was wet, sometimes very wet. This year, Saturday saw occasional light and intermittent drizzle and was somewhat grey. In spite of a distinct smell of drains in parts of the town, the atmospheric conditions were far better. It was nice and mild.
Numbers were at first disappointing. We’re sure it wouldn’t have been so slack at 9 a.m. in Caer/Chester or Wrecsam. It took till about 11 a.m. to see Rhuthun/Ruthin get busy. By midday, Market Street car park was almost full, Crispen Yard about three quarters full and Dog Lane about four fifths occupied. Troed y Rhiw was empty, just about. The town hall informal car park was full as was street side parking. In fact, there were copious cars parked illegally.
Both Tesco and the Co-op’s car parks were very nearly full at this point. There were also uncomfortably more cars than usual zipping through town. We’re not sure how many of them stopped or how many were taking a short cut.
Casting my mind back to 2007, I’d say that there were definitely more people around in 2008 in the morning. This was noticeable but neither was the town whelmed (sic) by shoppers. One reason no doubt was the offers available at larger stores in larger centres. But, cast your minds back 365 days and you’ll also recall that there was an air of big-store desperation back then, too. The difference last year was that the discounting started later, on the Friday beforehand, in fact. This year, multiples have offered sales and discounts for about a month and it could be that in 2008 people have already done the large shopping thing and returned to Rhuthun ahead of the Big Day.
The free parking offered last year wasn’t sufficient an attraction. Car parks were busier this year. And the better weather definitely helped Rhuthun, too.
Then, there were horror stories. This year, the town was keen not repeat them. The Mari Lwyd parade, expounded last year as a new tradition, is no longer.
But was it any better this year?
Well, as usual, it’s difficult to judge. Last year, it was wet, sometimes very wet. This year, Saturday saw occasional light and intermittent drizzle and was somewhat grey. In spite of a distinct smell of drains in parts of the town, the atmospheric conditions were far better. It was nice and mild.
Numbers were at first disappointing. We’re sure it wouldn’t have been so slack at 9 a.m. in Caer/Chester or Wrecsam. It took till about 11 a.m. to see Rhuthun/Ruthin get busy. By midday, Market Street car park was almost full, Crispen Yard about three quarters full and Dog Lane about four fifths occupied. Troed y Rhiw was empty, just about. The town hall informal car park was full as was street side parking. In fact, there were copious cars parked illegally.
Both Tesco and the Co-op’s car parks were very nearly full at this point. There were also uncomfortably more cars than usual zipping through town. We’re not sure how many of them stopped or how many were taking a short cut.
Casting my mind back to 2007, I’d say that there were definitely more people around in 2008 in the morning. This was noticeable but neither was the town whelmed (sic) by shoppers. One reason no doubt was the offers available at larger stores in larger centres. But, cast your minds back 365 days and you’ll also recall that there was an air of big-store desperation back then, too. The difference last year was that the discounting started later, on the Friday beforehand, in fact. This year, multiples have offered sales and discounts for about a month and it could be that in 2008 people have already done the large shopping thing and returned to Rhuthun ahead of the Big Day.
The free parking offered last year wasn’t sufficient an attraction. Car parks were busier this year. And the better weather definitely helped Rhuthun, too.
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Parking