A new handbag store's to open in Clwyd Street, where the Capircorn charity shop has recently closed. You might not agree but far from being another store we don't need, it's definitely one that we do.
Having watched the comments on By Passing? I am not convinced that the answer in Rhuthun/Ruthin lies in the sort of shops we see in places like Y Bala. Bala's shops are cheaper and less specialist than much of Rhuthun's. But Bala itself is very different for a number of reasons.
I went to Y Bala yesterday, driving through Rhuthun/Ruthin first. Rhuthun was busier than normal for a Wednesday but Bala was thronged. The sun had brought out visitors galore. Considering Bala's population is only about 2,000 (less than half of Rhuthun's) it was very popular. There are a number of reasons for this.
Compare this to Rhuthun. Since the arrival of Lo-cost (now Co-op) and especially Tesco, Rhuthun has shown that it can no longer support convenience shopping. Though it sounds foreign to say this of a town that's been established for centuries, Rhuthun now needs to compete with its own supermarket to stay alive. For compete with Tesco it must but it needs to find a different market as "ordinary" shops will probably struggle. That's why comparison shopping such as an accessories store might stand a chance.
I started this post by saying that you may not agree with me. Why, then, might Rhuthun need such a store that sells handbags? Because we haven't got one? (Yes, Wildcatz and Choo Choo sell a small range). Because it fills an empty shop? Or because this helps sell Rhuthun as a visitor destination, a destination with real choice when compared to the homogenised high street?
I view the change as an optimistic sign that in spite of noticeably very hard times, someone is still prepared to go out and invest in our town. May they get the support of visitors and residents they need.
Having watched the comments on By Passing? I am not convinced that the answer in Rhuthun/Ruthin lies in the sort of shops we see in places like Y Bala. Bala's shops are cheaper and less specialist than much of Rhuthun's. But Bala itself is very different for a number of reasons.
I went to Y Bala yesterday, driving through Rhuthun/Ruthin first. Rhuthun was busier than normal for a Wednesday but Bala was thronged. The sun had brought out visitors galore. Considering Bala's population is only about 2,000 (less than half of Rhuthun's) it was very popular. There are a number of reasons for this.- First, it's at the confluence of three main roads from England that lead directly into the heart of Eryri/Snowdonia. Next stop Cader Idris, the Mawddach estuary, the Irish Sea & the Snowdonia coast. Rhuthun is on one of these roads but not all three.
- Secondly, Bala's a visitor centre in its own right, with Llyn Tegid, nearby canoeing and local access to mountains. So's Rhuthun but it doesn't boast quite the same convenient, directly accessible activities.
- Thirdly, Bala's the only sizeable settlement between Corwen and Dolgellau. Dolgellau is 18 miles distance. Travel a similar distance from Rhuthun and you land in the consumer metropolis of Wrecsam. As such, Bala needs to act as a focal point for itself and a considerable rural hinterland. Unlike Rhuthun, there's very little nearby competition.
- Fourthly, Bala has no supermarket other than a small Spar and a modest Co-op. These are both on Bala's Stryd Fawr rather than located off-centre. This encourages footfall in Bala, something lacking in Rhuthun.
Compare this to Rhuthun. Since the arrival of Lo-cost (now Co-op) and especially Tesco, Rhuthun has shown that it can no longer support convenience shopping. Though it sounds foreign to say this of a town that's been established for centuries, Rhuthun now needs to compete with its own supermarket to stay alive. For compete with Tesco it must but it needs to find a different market as "ordinary" shops will probably struggle. That's why comparison shopping such as an accessories store might stand a chance.
I started this post by saying that you may not agree with me. Why, then, might Rhuthun need such a store that sells handbags? Because we haven't got one? (Yes, Wildcatz and Choo Choo sell a small range). Because it fills an empty shop? Or because this helps sell Rhuthun as a visitor destination, a destination with real choice when compared to the homogenised high street?
I view the change as an optimistic sign that in spite of noticeably very hard times, someone is still prepared to go out and invest in our town. May they get the support of visitors and residents they need.