Plans to Tackle Vacant Properties & Attract Independent Retailers to The Town Centre

Work is underway to tackle empty properties in Wrexham Town Centre – with plans for pop-up shops and innovative ways to attract independent traders to the area.

The work comes as part of a Town Centre Action Plan, which was unveiled back in January’s Town Centre Forum Meeting.

The plan, which aims to tackle a number of issues within the town, has been devised by members of the Town Centre Steering Group, representatives from the Town Centre Forum and the Town Centre Manager.

Often one of the main criticisms about Wrexham Town Centre is the number of vacant properties, particularly in relation to Henblas Street.

The action plan lists several ways to tackle occupancy rates – including creating a database of the vacant properties in the town to see who owns what property.

Speaking at this month’s Town Centre Forum Meeting, Chairman Nigel Lewis said: “We often see one of people’s gripes online is the empty shops in the town centre – which are no worse than other comparable town or city centre.

“Properties are vacant for many reasons, such as leases, rent, landlords. National chains who have vacated the properties are still paying rent. They may look vacant, but the landlords aren’t bothered as they are getting the income.”

As part of the action plan the empty Council owned properties on Henblas Street will be amongst some of the first to be tackled. While Wrexham Council do not own the likes of the former TJ Hughes, The Entertainer and Body Care – they do own the smaller retail spaces attached to the General Market and the like.

Mr Lewis added: “We re going to focus on the Council units on Henblas Street, which have been vacant for many reasons. Some have been to do with the Arts Hub. They are going to lead by example, met with Council Leader, Cllr Rogers and Steve Bailey. Everyone is on board to get those occupied.”

It was also noted that Henblas Street is ‘not the street is used to be’.

The use of pop-up shops and more imaginative ways to fill space in the town centre have also been looked at, such as using units for something other than retail.

One option that is currently being looked at is using one of the shops on Henblas Street to facilitate the popular group, Wrexham History, who are interested in using the space to open a Wrexham History Shop. However all plans are currently in the discussion stage rather than something firmer at present.

Another option being looked at is using a large, vacant property to house a number of independent business who are looking to move from being a home based business to the Town Centre.

The idea stems from a project titled ‘Wrens of Ripon’ in North Yorkshire, which provides space for independent traders to showcase and sell their products.

Speaking about the project, Matt McHale from La Baguette noted that the project was set up two years ago and that the owner had visited Wrexham recently to give a presentation to some members of the Forum / Steering Group.

Mr Lewis added: “It’s an interesting project. It’s not a small building, it occupies 35000sq ft – it’s a significant size that basically has independent retailers moving from home. They’re not market traders, it’s for people who aspire to have their own shops.

“It’s a collaborative hub where people can trade from. Eight businesses have already gone onto open shops in the town.”

It was also noted that work was underway putting a business plan together and looking at potential premises for such a scheme in Wrexham.

Mr Lewis added: “It’s an exciting project but it’s not an easy one. It could be a catalyst to take an empty shop in town and give people a place to trade.”