We’re not pretending that our five-day survey on attitudes to chain stores was scientific or representative. It’s a fact nevertheless that the majority who responded felt that nationally known retailers would be welcome in Rhuthun/Ruthin.
Nearly 70 per cent of respondents felt that Rhuthun should welcome bigger name retailers.
When asked from a local as opposed to a visitor perspective, the number of people who would prefer to see chain retailers jumped to slightly over ¾ of respondents. Considering this from a visitor’s perspective, the response was just about 50:50 till Wednesday, when it finished about 55:45 in favour of chain stores. This says to me that some respondents recognise that the visitor economy relies on the town’s unique character of independent traders while the needs of locals is something else entirely.
11 people also left specific comments. I need to respect one commenter, a trader, who requested that their views remain unpublished. Another felt that the question about residency was poorly phrased. "As one of the 'Ruthin Diaspora' I neither live nor work in Ruthin currently, but I'm not really a visitor either. It is still my home". Fair point. That left nine usable comments:
In conclusion, the majority of respondents felt that Rhuthun should welcome chain stores. The next questions are, are there units of sufficient size available and can Rhuthun support larger retailers in any case? As one survey respondent commented, "We need a mix of local shops and national chains! If only we could get one of them interested".
Thank you to all who voted. All but two lived in or around Rhuthun.
Nearly 70 per cent of respondents felt that Rhuthun should welcome bigger name retailers.
When asked from a local as opposed to a visitor perspective, the number of people who would prefer to see chain retailers jumped to slightly over ¾ of respondents. Considering this from a visitor’s perspective, the response was just about 50:50 till Wednesday, when it finished about 55:45 in favour of chain stores. This says to me that some respondents recognise that the visitor economy relies on the town’s unique character of independent traders while the needs of locals is something else entirely.
11 people also left specific comments. I need to respect one commenter, a trader, who requested that their views remain unpublished. Another felt that the question about residency was poorly phrased. "As one of the 'Ruthin Diaspora' I neither live nor work in Ruthin currently, but I'm not really a visitor either. It is still my home". Fair point. That left nine usable comments:"From a visitor point of view, chain stores would completely wreck the character and charm of Ruthin… I don't think chain stores would survive here because not enough people shop in Ruthin. Difficult to attract them."
"Chain stores make every town look the same. It would spoil Ruthin. Sadly there are many things which cannot be bought in Ruthin so people have to travel to shop."
"It is a dying town. We need something to attract shoppers from out of town. We all go to Broughton or Greyhound Park. [Rhuthun's] wonderful for gifts and nice things but you can't get shoes for your children!"
"We NEED chain stores to save Ruthin. At the moment there is very little to see in town and in order to stop the town declining further we have to allow some chain stores. We cannot live in the past."
"Surely even chain stores are better than the empty properties we now have around town. Think there would be room for both independent retailers and some chain stores."
"It will bring jobs and more people into the town."
"We need increased foot fall chains… pity Aldi do not come. That would bring people into Ruthin."
“With the imminent development of the old Kwik Save site in Denbigh, which will apparently have an array of shops, Ruthin needs to do something to compete."Outside the financial sector and following the closure of Tresher’s and Ethel Austin, currently the town has just one national retail chain: Boot’s the Chemist. Plus Tesco, Co-op and Bargeinion B & M Bargains, slightly out-of-town.
In conclusion, the majority of respondents felt that Rhuthun should welcome chain stores. The next questions are, are there units of sufficient size available and can Rhuthun support larger retailers in any case? As one survey respondent commented, "We need a mix of local shops and national chains! If only we could get one of them interested".
Thank you to all who voted. All but two lived in or around Rhuthun.