Town Centre Forum Meeting Report – July

Earlier this morning, Wrexham traders and members of the Town Centre Forum met for the monthly meeting at the Guildhall. Below is our summary of some of the subjects that were touched upon in the meeting. 

Armed Forces Day

Members of the Forum praised the Armed Forces Day event that took place across Queens Square and Llwyn Isaf  on Saturday 21st June.

The event saw thousands of people gather in the town centre to take part in the event, which featured a parade, children’s activities and a spitfire flying over the town centre.

Kevin Critchely said: “What a fantastic event, the feeling in the town was superb. That sort of event is the sort of thing town centres can do and out of town can’t as they don’t have that feeling of community.”

Policing Matters

Sergeant Gareth Davies provided an update on crime in the town centre, stating that there were no policing problems during Armed Forces Day or the Ladies Midnight walk, which took place over the weekend.

Comments were made about a recent shoplifting seminar that some members of the Forum had recently attended, stating that shoplifting is an issue that is increasing nationwide.

Sgt Davies said: “Crime in the town centre is generally up on shoplifting, however there were no incidents on Sunday or Monday of this week. We try to put as much prevention as we can and alert the shops. ”

Reference was also made to other concerns in the town centre, including the ongoing issue of street drinking in Yorke Street.

The issue was first raised in June’s Town Centre Forum (full report can be viewed here) when members were told there have been several complaints about the number of people who congregate near the shrubs throughout the day.

Sgt Davies said: “There is still drinking on Yorke Street, we are moving the people on and are aware of the issue.”

An update was also given on the anti-social behaviour at McDonald’s during the evening, with officers looking into how door staff at clubs and how they can be better utilised.

Upcoming Wrexham Events

An update of events planned / scheduled for the next few months on Queens Square and Llwyn Isaf was provided by Colin Jones.

This Sunday is the Mayor Civic Ceremony, with a parade taking place in the town at 11am.

Forum Members were also reminded that the popular ‘Light Up The Arches’ event will be taking place on Friday 11th July at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The event will take place from 6.30pm – 11.00pm and will feature music, local food and light – set under the fantastic backdrop of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. There will also be a firework display to celebrate the event. Full details of the event can be found here.

Llangollen Choir will also be performing at St Giles this month, with a performance taking place at lunchtimes on Wednesday July 9th and another in the evening of Sunday July 13th.

On Friday 18th July there will be a parade for the ‘Freedom of the County Borough – The Welsh Guards’. The parade will be led by the Welsh Guards and will leave Hightown Barracks at 11.30 am, before making its way through the Town Centre. A ceremony will be held on Llwyn Isaf Green at midday and the parade will return to Hightown Barracks at approximately 1.00 pm.

On Saturday 12th July an ASDA Charity Event will take place on Llwyn Isaf. There will be a number of stalls available on the day and this year’s event will be held in conjunction with with local Morris Dancers.

Reference was also made to some events scheduled for the summer, including the return of the children’s ‘Play-Day’ on the 6th of August.

Last year’s event saw thousands of children gather on Llwyn Isaf and Queen’s Square to take part in water fights, marshmallow toasting and a mini maze.

WreXfest, a one day event that aims to showcase all that is good about the town will also be returning this year, with the event scheduled to take place on Saturday 2nd August.

Also coming to the town on Saturday 20th September, is a new one day music festival called ‘Wrexposure’, which will take place on Queen’s Square.

The event will feature names such as The Hoosiers, Matt Cardle, Christopher Maloney and will be hosted by Kirk Norcross from ‘The Only Way Is Essex’.

‘Wrexposure’ has been organised by a local events company and tickets for the day are on sale now. Full details can be found on the Wrexposure website here.

Finally the Forum was told that a company called ‘RunWales.com’ is planning to hold a half marathon and full marathon in the town on March 8th 2015. The route for the event has yet to be decided, however it is hoped the event will start and finish in the town centre.

Mr Critchley added: “As usual, there is nothing going on in the town(!)”

The next town centre forum meeting will take place at the Guildhall on Tuesday 5th August.