Here is a second tally of closed premises as at the end of May 2021. 20 vacant units, mostly on the periphery, of which 11 have not opened substantively or substantially since lockdown. We haven't included the vape shop on Well Street, as this is purported to be opening next month. Neither have we included Chatwin's café which remains shut, even though the bakery still trades.
Recently, Upper Clwyd Street has not done too well. There are five empties and only The Studio and newcomer Healing Hands continues to trade there
Rowan Care, 61 Well Street. This is now empty of any fittings, furniture and equipment.
Coin Laundry, Well Street. Part of the former cinema units. Never reopened.
Bereford Adams, Well Street. Beresford Adams did reopen during the last full week of June but that didn't last long before the office in Rhuthun/Ruthin closed permanently.
Clwyd Army & Navy. This closed in June. But, here, there is good news. Ringwood Framers will from July 1st be occupying these premsies. They're considerably bigger. It does leave a gap at their former workshop at The Machine. Although it's a shame that Clwyd Army & Navy isn't to become a 'proper' shop, it's better to have it occupied than not.
Blossom's, Well Street. After seven years in Well Street, it was at the beginning of the December 2020 lockdown that this business closed and reopened in April 2021 by transferring to the proprietrix's home in Graigfechan.
Crown House, Well Street is now a longstanding closure.
Barclay's Bank, St Peter's Square, is similarly an established gap, having closed in 2018.
Montecito, St Peter's Square, closed in 2017. It has opened as a pop-up charity shop. There's hope here, though, in that the florists a few doors down will be moving to Montecito. This, of course, leaves a gap in the small unit formerly part of Majestic Travel.
Llanrhydd Manor is an example of a closed business premises now likely to convert to a dwelling. It was added for sale optimistcially at £395,000 in April 2021 for what would become a four-bed house. Imposing, yes. Positioned poorly, certainly, with much traffic going by. And then you have to add the conversion costs.
Prints 'n' Plains, off Clwyd Street. A more recent announcement. It did open after after the 2020 lockdown but from the summer of 2020 moved to Llanfair DC. There are reports that it could open as some sort of a new age 'weird' shop.
J's Barbers, Clwyd Street. Still unoccupied following its closure in December 2019.
Unit next to Lads Dads, Clwyd Street. Was this once Rowan Care? Latterly the Candy Shack before that moved to the former Siop Nain cafés premises, Well Street.
The Star. Possibly to be transformed into apartments, this historic building has had a chequered history as a public house. It's in a bit of a state.
46 Clwyd Street. Part of the Gaol complex, the county council closed this in 2015. Empty ever since.
Sorbus Tree, Upper Clwyd Street. This was once Annie's, then in a few other brands, before becoming part of the On the Hill portfolio. During lockdown 1 and beyond, it offered high class takeaways. Closed in May 2021 and moved to the Birch Business Centre, from where its takeaways continue.
Spread Eagle Books, Upper Clwyd Street, remains closed. It finished in February 2019.
Gail's, Upper Clwyd Street. Closed for good yesterday. It did reopen in the late summer/early autumn but it seems it was unable to operate profitably in a distanced environment. Pity, because distancing could at last be coming to an end... we presume.
Cwtch and sundry businesses, Upper Clwyd Street. This has latterly been a women's fashion shop but closed recently. For a while, the Sorbus Tree used it for storage and preparation.
On the Hill. Closed since January 2021 but never reopened after lockdown 1. Currently for sale since December 2020.
Que Paso, Wynnstay Road. Long term casualty.