SUPPORT has been shown for Prestatyn High Street after traders there voiced concerns for the future of their businesses.
Hayley Morgan, of the card, gift and home décor shop The Twisted Tree, said it has an “amazing array of shops, bars and restaurants”, while Vale of Clwyd MP, James Davies, added that it is “looking remarkably healthy given all that it has faced through the pandemic”.
Their comments follow fears raised by other traders on the high street about the shelf life of their businesses amid the cost of living crisis.
Beccie French, of Granny Pats Tuck Shop, has been based on the high street for roughly a year, having closed her initial Liverpool store because of the great early success of her Prestatyn base.
But she said trade has more than halved in the last 12 months, and called for a return of Prestatyn’s market, which closed in November after more than 40 years to make way for a new Home Bargains store.
Beccie said: “We closed our Liverpool shop because it was so good in Prestatyn – Prestatyn was the place to be, but it’s really not proving to be that way this year.
“I’ve just been past Rhyl again now and Rhyl High Street is absolutely buzzing, and then coming back into Prestatyn, it’s dead. I don’t want to blame the (Parc Prestatyn) retail park, because the retail park does bring us a lot of customers.
“We’re trying to make it nice for people to come and visit Prestatyn; it’s a lovely High Street, it’s just not getting the footfall – it’s decreased by at least half. We’re trading less than half we were last year.
“Ideally, I think Prestatyn should have a market back, even if only once a month; but that’s why the old market closed down, because people weren’t visiting that, either. It would be good if we could get that going again.
“At the bottom of the high street where the taxi rank is, there’s quite a bit of space there which is only really used for cars to cut through. That could maybe be closed off once a month.
“People need to use it or lose it (high street) – if they don’t start shopping on the High Street, it’s going to be worse than it is now.
“I’m just worried because obviously, the cost of living is going up, and that’s not just for individuals, it's for businesses as well. Our electricity bill has quadrupled and is going up again in October.”
Gemma Williams, of the Little Cheesemonger, expressed similar concerns regarding the effects of the rise in energy bills due in October will have on her business.
Gemma, who also had a shop in Rhuddlan which she closed after five years of business last month, said she wonders if the lack of banks in Prestatyn has played a part in any loss of trade.
Principality Building Society, based on the high street, is now the only in-store banking service available in the town after HSBC’s closure last summer.
Gemma said: “I don't think Rhyl is trading any better than Prestatyn, but Rhyl does have banks.
“My customers have told me they don't come to Prestatyn regularly now like they used to because the banks have closed and banking is part of their weekly routine. Now, they have to go to Flint or Rhyl.
“Personally, I think a business has more of a chance of surviving in Prestatyn compared to Rhyl, but that's just my opinion.
“I've just had to close my shop of five years in Rhuddlan which I loved, but it's even harder there. Some days, you don't see any customers, so I'm so grateful that I have the shop in Prestatyn and I'm working really hard to keep my team members in a job.
“I have suggested to Prestatyn Business Forum to come and join in at Rhuddlan Farmers’ Market held once a month at the community centre. Then they can do a trial run on what they could expected to do for something similar in Prestatyn.”
Gemma added that, with such events planned for Prestatyn’s town centre as the Classic Car Show on August 29, she is hopeful of a summer increase in footfall, but feared “it may not be here quick enough”.
She said: “It's a very long high street and it faces many challenges for all the businesses.
“I'm located right in the centre at the crossroads, and I can see the frustrations at either end of the high street.
“We, as businesses, have to be careful not to slide into despair and drive our frustrations into seeking answers.
“We are all connected and the loss of businesses in the area will start impacting all businesses.
“There are more events coming like the Classic Car Show and tourism will return soon, but that's not the answer and it may not be here quick enough.
“We need a plan in place on how to survive more changes in October. Energy bills are set to rise substantially again in October; also, in April 2023, business rates will be 100 per cent. Currently, we are getting some assistance with these bills.
“For self-employed people like myself, it's a double-whammy: not only have you got the cost of living crisis, but the unspoken-about cost of business crisis.
“I'm just a cheesemonger, I've no economic or political skills, but I will be seeking out MPs for answers. I don't know what I'd do without my business.
“I think all businesses are struggling or just starting to feel the effects. We need to talk openly about this rather than hide it in the worry that our customers might look down on us. It's not the customers that need to hear this, though, it's government.”
Anton Sampson, chair of Prestatyn Business Forum, said he and his fellow members are looking for new ways to bring about an increase in high street trade, and pointed to the success of various events in Prestatyn during the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
This included the celebration along the high street on June 5, of which the “Jubilee Rocks” live music event which Mr Sampson organised was a part.
He said: “The business forum part-funded a four-day family fun event on Bastion Fields and supported what was a very successful Jubilee Rocks on the high street despite the weather.
“We are aware that many businesses are struggling and are constantly trying to come up with new ideas to try to attract customers to our town - the summer season will hopefully bring some cheer in the coming months.”
Hayley Morgan, who opened the Twisted Tree in November, acknowledged the struggles and fears outlined by Beccie and Gemma, particularly amid the current cost of living crisis, but spoke glowingly about a “fabulous high street”.
Hayley said: “We love everything this great town has to offer.
“We were totally overwhelmed by the welcome received from customers, the local community and the other businesses in the area.
“We continue to increase our customer base week on week as new people find our shop for the first time, and we are so grateful for customers who come back time after time.
“Obviously, businesses and individuals are facing difficult times at the moment and going forward.
“However, Prestatyn, and in particular, the high street, has such an amazing array of shops, bars and restaurants that we all need to use to keep the town alive.
“As business owners, we do worry about the coming months and the future of our businesses and being able to keep staff positions going.
“That said, we strive to be competitive, exciting, and unique in our own way, offering locals and visitors an eclectic combination of experiences.”
While describing it as a “great asset to the town”, Hayley also urged more shoppers at Parc Prestatyn retail park to pay the high street a visit, too.
She added: “We would love to see more people visiting the high street and appreciating its true value within the community. Quite often, people don’t venture further than the retail park.
“Parc Prestatyn is a great asset to the town, don’t get us wrong, but there is so much more to the town for people to explore.
“We have a fabulous high street, with excellent and unique independent businesses, a stunning beach and lovely cafes and restaurants.
“Everything is in place; we just need to work together to keep it.
“We, as an independent business, will continue to be the best we can be and offer our customers the best in value, service and range, and long may it continue.”
Cllr Andrea Tomlin (Prestatyn East – the ward in which the high street is situated), owns Andrea’s Lettings on Nant Hall Road, based just off the high street.
Cllr Tomlin echoed calls for more shoppers to come to the high street as well as Parc Prestatyn, and said conversations are due to be had to try to achieve this.
She said: “Our business owners have made Prestatyn town centre the envy of many, with such an eclectic mix of businesses with truly enthusiastic owners.
“There is only one empty premises, a former bank, that I am aware of that there aren't any future plans for, yet. Prestatyn is firmly the place to live, visit, shop and socialise.
“A little bit more of a percentage of the shoppers on Parc Prestatyn coming through to our town centre has and always will be welcome.
“To that end, I, together with Prestatyn Town Council and some business representatives, will soon be meeting with Savills, the property management company looking after Parc Prestatyn, who have always been very supportive of our wonderful town centre business, to see how we can work together to further achieve this.
“We were voted the best high street in Wales last year for lots of reasons and we will always welcome people who visit us, from near and far, to see why.”
Cllr Elen Heaton, also of Prestatyn East ward, added: "People are facing such tough times at the moment. Rising fuel bills, inflation, cuts to in work benefits and National Insurance rises have really hit working families.
"The same factors are also hitting our high street retailers and small businesses.
"That is why the Labour Party has pressed the UK Government not to make in work benefit cuts or increase National Insurance as less money in people’s pockets is bad news for the local economy and local retailers, as we have seen.
"I will work with Denbighshire County Council to look at what we can do to support small businesses.
"Previously, the town council supported a number of events on the High Street to increase footfall and boost spending. Sadly, over recent years, even before the pandemic, these were reduced.
"The new council will be looking at staging more events and I am really looking forward to the Classic Car Show returning; always a popular day which brings many people to our town."
James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MP, also spoke positively about the high street, and expressed his sympathy for traders struggling amid rising bills and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Davies said he is also looking into helping improve the town’s precinct and attracting branded hotels to Prestatyn.
He said: “Local businesses have been through many ups and downs in the last two-and-a-bit years, and bouncing back from the impact of a pandemic in the face of high energy and inflationary costs cannot be easy.
“The last two seasons were difficult and curtailed by public health restrictions, although the popularity of staycations definitely proved helpful in boosting visitor numbers.
“This year, international travel has been rapidly returning to normal, meaning greater competition for our seaside towns.
“Prestatyn High Street is looking remarkably healthy given all that it has faced through the pandemic.
“It is a pleasant place to shop, with a wide range of independent businesses and plentiful free parking.
“However, I am keen to hear of challenges from local businesses and assist wherever I can. The same, of course, applies to businesses across the wider area.
“This year, the Prestatyn Classic Car Show is set to return. For 2023, the carnival will, also, and there is positive talk of the flower show returning in addition.
“I am certain that Prestatyn Town Council, Denbighshire County Council, Prestatyn Business Forum and others will be looking to ensure continued vibrancy going forward.
“I hope this can include specialist and themed markets.
“I agree that the loss of bank branches has been a blow, and am working to ensure that new legislation can allow Link to require a banking hub in such situations.
“I am also shaping plans for Levelling Up Fund expenditure in the high street, to ensure it is looking its best, and once again assisting towards a successful Britain in Bloom entry, which can help inspire business confidence and attract visitors and shoppers.
“Business rates can be crippling. Wales has the least competitive business rates regime in Britain.
“There is 100 per cent rates relief in Wales for rateable values up to £6,000, but the equivalent threshold is set at £12,000 in England.
“I therefore hope this is something that Welsh Government will look at correcting.
“Looking further into the future for Prestatyn High Street, there is also work that can be done to improve the 1960s precinct site and to attract branded hotels to the town.
“These are matters I am actively pursuing.
“I would encourage all in Prestatyn and elsewhere to support local shops.”
READ MORE:
Bubble teas, bunting and British cheese: how North Wales traders fared on Jubilee weekend
Two years since the first lockdown: how North Wales traders survived
Trader of the Week: success tastes sweet at new tuck shop
Trader of the Week: Little Cheesemonger dreaming big in North Wales
Trader of the Week: Quirky cards and candles at Prestatyn High Street store
A Denbighshire County Council spokesperson added: “We fully recognise that the current financial cost of living impact is worrying for our local business owners as well as residents.
“We would like to remind businesses that the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme is available to qualifying businesses who operate in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors and details can be found online using this link: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-rates/relief-and-reductions.aspx.
“Our #lovelivelocal campaign also encourages people to shop and buy local to support town centres such as Prestatyn and also sustainability and cost by reducing long car journeys.
“Through #lovelivelocal, we want to remind people of the wonderful businesses we have in Prestatyn and across other towns that can offer a wide range of products right on the doorstep, reducing the need for costly travel by residents and also offering local support to traders during this difficult time.
“For more information on how businesses can join the #lovelivelocal campaign, please visit: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support/love-live-local.aspx.”
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