Colwyn Bay shops closing

THE recession has hit several stores in Colwyn Bay as the town has lost three prominent shops in the town centre with another closing in March.

Peacock’s on the corner of Station Road and Conway Road is also under threat as the national chain faces administration.

Last week Dorothy Perkins’ and Burtons’ shared store in the Bay View centre closed, as has the Arkwright’s discount shopping store on Penrhyn Road, as well as Linney Cooper carpet and upholstery cleaners on Abergele Road.

Linney Cooper’s Craig-y-Don shop will remain open.

Home Curtains and Bedding on Sea View Road, managed from Manchester, is also holding a closing down sale before shutting in March.

The Weekly News contacted all businesses, which either declined or were unavailable for comment.

A spokeswoman for Peacock’s did comment: “The board of the Peacock Group and its advisers have been discussing for some time the restructuring of the business with the group’s lenders.

“Unfortunately these talks have now concluded and no agreement has been reached. However, discussions with other potential investors are ongoing. To protect the business whilst discussions with investors are progressed, the directors of the Peacock Group have filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.”

Phil and Margaret Andrews run the Colwyn Bay Pet and Aquatics store on Sea View Road and said many shops in the town were struggling to compete with larger national chains.

“You can’t stop it, it’s just the way it is at the moment all over the country,” said Phil.

“There is no answer to it, Llandudno is the same. The problem in Colwyn Bay is there are no big shops to pull people.”

Margaret added: “If people used the little shops instead of the big Morrison’s and Tesco the high street wouldn’t disappear.”

Nick Twigg is the franchise holder of Cash Generator on Sea View Road and has reported a very successful pre- and post- Christmas trade. However, Nick said other shops were struggling due to high business rates set by the Welsh Government.

“It is not a surprise, people are struggling with business rates,” he said.

“Rents are coming down, but business rates haven’t yet. Business rates are supposed to be reflective of the rentable value, and although rents are coming down, rates are not following.”

COLWYN Bay’s town centre manager Ingrid Lewis said several schemes in around the town were helping to promote both existing and new businesses in the town centre.

She also pointed to the millions of pounds of investment in the town as part of the ongoing regeneration project.

“With street works undertaken, additional works planned and with an active business support programme that encourages new starts-ups and provides information and advice to existing businesses and a new radio link service directly to the town’s CCTV, the town’s retail future is positive,” she said.

“Colwyn Bay’s Masterplan has given Colwyn Bay a focus, which should see the town develop and thrive in the years to come.”