Having spoken to three town councillors now, I have the same reaction: derision that Dinbych is named by the Royal Mail as the best market town in Wales. Yes, there's a pinch of jealousy and certainly a shovel full of rivalry. But, honestly, how on earth did Dinbych do it?
Apparently, our neighbour takes top place because it scores consistently above average across various measures of work-life balance, particularly for short commuting distances and working hours.
But, there is a higher-than-average dependence on part-time employment and this is one reason why Dinbych always seems to be a little, well, tlawd. Historically, it's always been the same. That and the fact that the town hasn't recovered sufficiently since the closure of the North Wales hospital. The town centre's something and nothing and of the units at the new retail park at Townsend, one is still vacant and two are let to a charity shop.
Categorising Dinbych, the county council states that it "defies classification" and is simply average across multiple indicators. So, why is an "average" town filling the top spot? Perhaps value-for-money housing has something to do with it. House prices, however, are cheaper in Dinbych very much for a reason...
Rhuthun/Ruthin has to contend itself with sixth place in Wales. Still not bad. Flint, though, is 8th: are they having a laugh?
But, there is a higher-than-average dependence on part-time employment and this is one reason why Dinbych always seems to be a little, well, tlawd. Historically, it's always been the same. That and the fact that the town hasn't recovered sufficiently since the closure of the North Wales hospital. The town centre's something and nothing and of the units at the new retail park at Townsend, one is still vacant and two are let to a charity shop.
Categorising Dinbych, the county council states that it "defies classification" and is simply average across multiple indicators. So, why is an "average" town filling the top spot? Perhaps value-for-money housing has something to do with it. House prices, however, are cheaper in Dinbych very much for a reason...
Rhuthun/Ruthin has to contend itself with sixth place in Wales. Still not bad. Flint, though, is 8th: are they having a laugh?
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