A chance meeting with a town councillor in Siop Nain yesterday confirmed Rhuthun/Ruthin was not only likely to get the rumoured KFC but that Tesco might be expanding. Both, apparently, are linked.For it seems that a developer may have bought both the site on Lôn Parcwr once occupied by Ruthin Traders and the vacant plot next to it. For want of a better description, Tesco seems certain to build a "service area" on this brownfield site, with petrol forecourt and KFC attached.
Ruthin Traders closed for business on 12th March. It's believed that they have moved to the Tweedmill near Trefnant, so signage suggests. The site between it and Mobility Nationwide's been vacant for some time. Expect a planning application for the new development in the coming weeks. You heard it here first.The implications of this development are fairly clear. We currently enjoy two petrol stations, both of which tend to price themselves at the higher end of the spectrum. There are reasons for this. Though Tesco fuel isn't necessarily the cheapest, it does offer money off per litre when purchasing groceries in volume.
There's also a good spread and variety of takeaways in the town centre. There's the kebab house and Chinese next to each other, a tandoori and Bangladeshi, two fish & chip shops with all evening opening, and a pizzeria. None offer significant or off-road parking like KFC will.The times they are a-changin', as the great bard Robat Dylan might say.