Wrexham’s Vacancy Rates ‘No Worse Than National Average’

Wrexham’s retail vacancy rates are ‘no worse than the national average’. That is the view of the Chairman of the Town Centre Forum.

The statement came during this month’s Town Centre Forum Meeting, which saw a debate about vacancy rates in the town centre and how shoppers and visitors can be encourage to use the town rather than out of town retail parks.

In recent weeks a number of shops in the town centre have closed, including the Body Shop, Blue Inc and the coffee shop in the bus station. TK Maxx, a long term occupant of Island Green is also set to relocate to Plas Coch Retail Park at the end of this month; and the Cooperative Bank is to close in April.

Comments about occupancy levels in Wrexham Town Centre have been well documented online, particularly in recent weeks following the closure of the shops mentioned above.

Speaking at the Town Centre Forum Meeting, Chairman Nigel Lewis said: “One thing many people are picking up on is vacant premises. I get increasingly despondent when I look at social media some mornings.

“A lot of people call Wrexham a ghost town, we do have areas where vacancy rates are high. By and large ours are no worse than the national average, we have in region of 85%-90% of ground floor in town occupied. People are sending the message out and we need to listen.”

Reference was also made to a consultation currently being carried out by Wrexham Council, with a question about occupancy levels in the town centre generating a vast debate on the Council’s Facebook page.

Comments on the Wrexham Council Facebook Page so far have included themes and comments such as:

– Too many empty shops in the town centre
– Rents are way to high for smaller shops to survive
– Eagles Meadow has split the town in two / bring back all the old shops to the town centre / knock Eagles Meadow down
– Wrexham is a ghost town / nothing there / rather go to Broughton
– Rates are too high

People have also been quick to comment on how the town centre needs support from locals to help keep existing businesses in town and encourage future businesses to see Wrexham as a desirable place to trade.

Mr Lewis added: “Wrexham Council have been very proactive in using their Facebook Page in publicising the consultation. I picked it up some of the comments at the end of last week – they show how people feel about the town. It’s important that groups like ourselves work with the Council to address people’s concerns.

“The comments are a fair reflection of people’s views – people very observant and there are lot of suggestions. It shows what people are concerned about. The Council have asked them to fill the form in.

“It shows what the customers want and town is about getting customers in. Whether they come through cheaper parking, the Sheep Trail or whatever. For those who have businesses in the town it is all about getting people through your door and parting with their money is the key to success. This is what our customers are saying. They are telling us what they like and why they aren’t coming to town.”

Last week Wrexham.com reported that a Town Centre Action Plan to tackle issues in the town centre, including vacant properties, increasing footfall and potentially introducing pop-up shops.

A final draft of the plan is expected in the near future.

What do you think of vacancy rates in Wrexham Town Centre? Or Tourism and issues with homelessness? You can let Wrexham Council know by filling in their consultation here which has had over 800 replies so far…