Pandemic impact on town centre set to be discussed by councillors – but “longer-term trends also need to be considered”

Ways to “target empty and problematic buildings” in Wrexham town centre to meet the changing needs of the economy are set to be discussed this week.

As with all towns and cities, the coronavirus pandemic has affected the occupancy rate in the town as several high street retailers and eateries shut up shop for good.

Many of these have been on Eagles Meadow, with H&M, Frankie & Bennys (along with Plas Coch), Burger King, Pizza Express and more recently Debenhams, all closing.

The large Sports Direct unit is also vacant after the company moved into the former BHS store – along with Game – last summer.

In the town centre itself QD Stores closed at the start of the year.

The occupancy rate within the town centre and how to respond to a potentially permanent change in shopping habits is set to be discussed by members of the council’s employment, businesses and investment scrutiny committee on Wednesday afternoon.

In the report the coronavirus pandemic is described as having “rapidly” accelerating the number of empty premises, with a “sharp increase” between October 2020 and 2021.

An audit of the empty properties in the town centre, which includes Eagles Meadow and Island Green, was carried in February this year.

This processes recorded a total of 529 units, of which 121 were empty – this equates to 22.8%

The report continues onto say that it “should be noted that at this point, nonessential retail had been affected by another period of closure and many units were not open.”

The loss of such well-known stories is acknowledged in the report, which notes that the large retail space which is vacant in the town is “not appropriate for those business that are coming forward to replace them.”

However the local independent sector in the town is highlighted for its “resilience” which some of the larger retailers don’t have.

This is is a sector that requires support, the report states, and offers a “significant opportunity for the recovery, growth and future prosperity of Wrexham Town Centre and the wider County Borough.”

Commenting on the impact the last 16 months has had on the town centre, the report continues onto say: “The COVID-19 pandemic has of course been catastrophic for nearly all business sectors by removing all but essential customer footfall and forcing new consumer behaviours, which may be difficult, or at least slow to reverse.

“The significance of the pandemic cannot be overstated and the specific COVID-19 response, including the Town Centre Recovery Plan have been covered in reports in July 2020 October 2020 but in addressing the issue of empty retail units, it is important that other factors and longer-term trends also need to be considered.

“These include but are not limited to; the proliferation of online shopping, rates and rents regimes; historic / older buildings that are not suitable for modern demands; and competing out-of-town shopping developments.”

With restrictions in place across large parts of the last 16 months, footfall in the town centre has taken a hit with all but essential retail open throughout last spring and the start of this year.

The graph below shows how badly footfall has been impacted since the introduction of the first lockdown in March 2020.

Councillors will look ahead to what is expected to be a post covid recovery period, with the report highlighting the way in which the town and businesses can adapt and move forward.

This includes the introduction of new click and collect services on the High Street and Holt Street, which are now in operation.

Re-introducing events when it is safe to do so is highlighted as a key driver in footfall, with around 70,000 people visiting annually.

The report also references the work of the Civic Leaders Group, which is made up of the chief executive of Wrexham Council and members of the private sector who came together to form the organisation two years ago.

Last week it was announced the group had secured £70k from the council, Welsh Government, Wrexham Glyndwr University and Coleg Cambria to “support a commission to develop and launch a campaign to engage wider audience and enhance the positive messages about Wrexham as a destination.”

Commenting on the funding, the report states: “This will seek to widen engagement in the Common Purpose vision as well as highlighting the sustained positive developments taking place and elevating Wrexham further as a town ready for further investment, such as the heightened interest in Wrexham Football Club, investment in Wrexham Gateway and the progress of the A483 junction work.

“Ensuring that the conditions for investment are right means there is a higher likelihood of seeing private development such as the Chapter Court scheme coming forward as the full potential of Wrexham is promoted.”

In terms of filling empty properties one option is converting some of the upper retail space into accommodation, with the report noting that the council is “currently administering a new grant to support the conversion of empty properties into accommodation.”

It is also noted that “in the period since Christmas, the council has been approached by representatives of a number of significant buildings in Wrexham Town Centre looking to engage about innovative plans and solutions.

“This is an indication of growing interest and confidence building from the activities and announcements taking place.”

The report will be discussed by members of the council’s employment, business and investment scrutiny committee at 4pm on May 19th. The meeting will also be webcast on the Wrexham Council website.