Figures available this week from the county council shed some light on the changing shape of the town centre. They compare building use over the previous 19 years.
The number of convenience units as reduced in number from a high of 17 to 11. This is a reduction of a third. This is not surprising. Note the drop in 2007, following Tesco opening in August 2006. Thereafter, the number has been relatively static.
Empty units tell a story, as well. These are also variable. Note the low point of 2011, when there were 25 such empties. After some variable years to 2011, the number of vacancies has grown marginally. Rhuthun's vacancies nevertheless remain low compared to national trends.
Finally, let's consider the number of units under residential occupation. There has always been a significant proportion of properties occupied by people rather than things. The percentage in 2002 was 21 and has risen steadily to 25 per cent in 2018, falling to 24 per cent in 2019 and 2020. There are equal numbers of residencies as comparison stores. Only Llanelwy/St Asaph has a higher proportion of residential uses, just. Denbigh's is 10 per cent and Llangollen's 16. Basically, Rhuthun is streets ahead in terms of town centre residential property.
Convenience shops have reduced by a lower proportion but there are still 20 per cent fewer such shops in 2020 than 2002. The actual numbers are 52 (2002) to 41 (2020). The changes are by no means linear, even though the trend is downwards. If you consider the changes between 2002 and 2018, for example, the decline was from 52 to 47, a reduction of 10 per cent. The coronavirus no doubt accounts for 2020's 41 figure.
