What is it with the town's traders? They complain that there's next to no footfall. So, they came together (on February 8th) to see what collectively they can achieve. That meeting was well attended. The follow up meeting was not. We understand that just eight came along. There was some chunnering. Some were brassed off at being given jobs to do. No one likes extra work but they also need to help themselves. Or, perhaps they simply think Rhuthun/Ruthin is a now a lost cause.
Then there's the unhealthy rivalry or dare we say jealousy between Clwyd Street and Well Street traders.
A previous campaign emphasised how easy it is to reach Rhuthun
It seems very little can get them to coalesce for the common good. Instead of fighting among themselves, they need to fight for our expenditure (those who live here or hereabout). It's not a given, you know; and for more visitors to Rhuthun. They seem to want to blame the county council or parking charges or, indeed, anything other than themselves.
This has been the problem with each campaign the town has tried to do. Nothing seems to work.
What right have I to complain about this lack of cohesion? Actually, I'm speaking as someone who rarely orders anything online (only items unavailable locally, in fact) because I feel it important to try to safeguard the town. Well, smug old me. I guess younger people might call this virtue signalling but it's not at all superficial. And, as a result, I haven't been even to Dinbych or Broughton or anywhere else to shop other than in Rhuthun since the start of the health emergency but for only two occasions.
Summer 2021 saw increased footfall. It's difficult to say by how much but we'd suggest at least 20 per cent. Summer 2022 is likely to be different, with the return of international travel and rising energy costs. Traders can achieve so much more together and if they felt 2021 was bad, 2022 could be worse.
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Shops