Jones The Computer
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Planning ahead. Am I right in thinking that the original proposals for the Kop end would close Crispin Lane anyway. Make the bridge one-way and that kicks any Wrexham ground expansion into touch. What does Glyndwr Uni think, I wonder?
Sharp globally seems to be in a mess. See below:
Gecko’s play cafe in Rhosddu, Wrexham – great play area and reptile house. £1 entry this week and £4 meal deal. Like their facebook page for discounts.
Great to see this topic come up on the forum as I think it is a major issue for Wrexham. The answer to why there so many empty shops is simple: the cost of running a business in Wrexham Town Centre is greater than the revenue generated. There are of course two sides to this equation – firstly costs:
Rental values are coming down slowly, though many businesses are tied into long lease periods with no option for rent reduction. Bizzarely many large property companies would prefer an empty shop with a high rental as lower rent would reflect badly on the value of their assets.
Rates. These are based on a valuation by the VOA and a multiplier set by central government. In theory the council has no control over these, but rumours exist that deals have been made with Eagles Meadow and I am sure that there is something that can be done. There are rate reliefs available: small business and rural; but these exacerbate the problem as most town centre properties have a high value (because they are where they are) and therefore don’t qualify. Businesses outside the town do qualify and this means that it is cheaper to relocate there.
Secondly, revenue generation – as has been mentioned the economic situation doesn’t help. People are fearful of spending what money they have because they don’t know (no-one knows!) what is around the corner. However, I think that we have reached a tipping point in the density of shops i.e. the ratio of open to closed shops and therefore the tendency of a shopper to visit that particular street or area. This has lead to a downward spiral. There are of course the peripheral aspects such as parking, bus services, cleanliness etc which need to be addressed. The free bus pass means that it costs the same to go shopping in Chester as it does in Wrexham. What I always find makes a great shopping experience is small unique friendly independent shops (I declare an interest!) whether it be the rows in Chester or the Shambles in York and yet the council always seems to favour the multiples which every town/city has. Differentiation is the key. Notice how the report linked below only looks at data on big businesses:
https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/MinutesData/EnvRegen/Reports/CEDO2609sai.doc
I would like to see the updated version if there is one.
Eagles Meadow has definitely fragmented the town along with the half empty Border retail park and B&Q area. I would add a word of caution that the council should not only promote new business but maintain existing ones as well.I agree with the earlier post that the Monday Market should expand into the town and if necessary into the Councillors’ car park. Why not put the fair there as well!
Finally, I think we should have an independent inquiry (Leveson style) to openly bring together all the concerns and ideas of the many stakeholders of Wrexham. It would only need a few days to hear evidence and could be chaired by someone with good local knowledge – not be a council stitch up or carried by property consultants with vested interests.
As the owner of an existing internet cafe, it annoys me when councillors use taxpayer’s money to provide something which is already being provided by business. Won’t this just be another Shopper Hopper – high startup cost, significant running costs and no-one using it! As KKOB says it’s never free, somebody has to pay for it.
