- First, out goes the DVSC from the market hall. Their conversion of the market hall wasn't the best because they hadn't properly tackled access issues, the fact it never felt finished and there never seemed enough traders available to make it feel full.
- In, progressively comes State of Distress or at least Bernadette O'Malley from State of Distress to manage it. She takes over fully in March 2023. She's a live wire so if the market doesn't work under her it never will. Others have tried and failed. Expect to see a State of Distress stall in the market.
- Meanwhile, she's closing State of Distress, citing footfall and high rental. This will leave a gap because State of Distress, for Rhuthun, was a colourful and a large shop. It ceases on August 31st.
- Yellow Moon Florists in the former Montecito building has already closed and either has or will move to the market.
- Meanwhile, Rachel's Eco Store is moving *out* of the market to occupy the current empty no. 9 Clwyd Street.
- To some degree, Rachel's competes with Naturally Ethical, Well Street. Naturally Ethical, at the same time, is soon to move to the Bar Llaeth premises on the Square, empty all spring and summer. This leaves a gap on Well Street which, again, is large-ish premises by Rhuthun's standards.
- Kaffeehaus formerly at no. 9 Clwyd Street has already moved to the Vanity Fayre building previously occupied by Origin gin bar on the Square. Though with the closure of Bar Llaeth the number of cafés on the Square would remain the same, because the more upmarket Faffeehaus replaces the outdated Bar Llaeth it will provide some competition for the Coffee Cabin.
- Barclay's Bank, empty for, like, years, is at last being rented by a charity under the name of reSource.
- The former Alton Murphy premises and the Myddelton Arms remain closed.
So, by my reckoning, we started the summer with the following empties on the Square...
- Barclay's
- Alton Murphy
- Vanity Fayre (formerly occupied by Origin)
- Myddelton Arms
- Montecito (formerly occupied by Yellow Moon florists)
- Bar Llaeth
... and this autumn will see fewer, just...
- Alton Murphy
- Myddelton Arms
- Montecito
- State of Distress
... which is better if not best. Plus we lose one unit on Well Street but none on Clwyd Street.
The other issue is that if the market is as successful as we might expect from Bernadette O'Malley then could it slowly start to suck the life out of established shops in town? If so, all that'll be left is the market hall.
Tags:
Shops