The one ingredient missing from today's Rhuthun/Ruthin late night shopping till 7 p.m. was... shoppers. Well, certainly during the "late" part of the event, from 5.30 onwards. From about 4.00 to 5.30, the town was busy and some shops such as Siop Elfair were packed. Parking was difficult in places and at times.
But none of that was particularly "late". No, the final hour-and-a-half was quiet.
What is it about the town and late night shopping? It's never been a hit, not in recent years. In fact, I can only ever remember one of them being anything like popular. In times now long past, with hog roasts on the Square and on one occasion stalls down market street, people supported the town on such occasions. No longer. Today's was rather an embarrassment, actually.
Yet, there was a good selection of traders who kept their doors open till 7 p.m. Who could blame those who did not? A number that might actually be useful to Christmas shoppers didn't bother. These inlcuded Gaylas House, Montecito, Williams Pharmacy & Perfumary, the Spread Eagle Bookshop. Perhaps they understood that Rhuthun has a previous poor history of support in this regard.
This is a poor indictment of the people of Rhuthun. Do we want our town to keep its head above water? Do we value our local shops? Do we even care if we lose local family businesses? We will miss Rhuthun when the only choice available for us is to travel to Broughton Park, Greyhound Park or Rhuddlan Retail Park.
People were busy putting up stalls on the Square early this morning for today's promised Christmas market. High winds and perpetual heavy drizzle put paid to that and these were removed during the morning. The only remnant was a blown over sign warning motorists not to park on the Square. The rain eased in the afternoon and though still gusty the weather this evening was mild if not totally dry. Yet, still no one bothered to come.
At least the Saturday event on November 29th was a success (and more popular than anticipated, too).
But none of that was particularly "late". No, the final hour-and-a-half was quiet.
Yet, there was a good selection of traders who kept their doors open till 7 p.m. Who could blame those who did not? A number that might actually be useful to Christmas shoppers didn't bother. These inlcuded Gaylas House, Montecito, Williams Pharmacy & Perfumary, the Spread Eagle Bookshop. Perhaps they understood that Rhuthun has a previous poor history of support in this regard.
People were busy putting up stalls on the Square early this morning for today's promised Christmas market. High winds and perpetual heavy drizzle put paid to that and these were removed during the morning. The only remnant was a blown over sign warning motorists not to park on the Square. The rain eased in the afternoon and though still gusty the weather this evening was mild if not totally dry. Yet, still no one bothered to come.
At least the Saturday event on November 29th was a success (and more popular than anticipated, too).
Tags:
Shops