‘Locally Owned’ Henblas Street Shops Full – Ideas Explored To Generate Footfall

Extending the outdoor market in Wrexham has been mooted as a way of generating footfall to the recently troubled Henblas Street. 

The suggestion came at September’s Town Centre Forum after it was announced that the Council run units on Henblas Street were almost at full occupancy.

Town Centre Forum Chairman Nigel Lewis stated that the filling the empty council-owned properties (the ones painted green) on Henblas Street had been listed as a priority on the town centre action plan six months ago.

Mr Lewis said: “It is positive news. There were four vacant units there for considerable time for various reasons. The issue was put on the action plan and raised with Council Leader Mark Pritchard.

He added that aside from the former Phones 4 U shop on the corner of Henblas Street and Queen Street, he believed all ‘locally owned’ shops in that area are now occupied.

Town Centre Manager Amanda Davies noted that there was only one council-owned unit still vacant on Henblas Street and that there had been interested in the shop.

Ms Davies added that there are private landlords in Henblas Street and they have been approached by Wrexham council, however she noted the council can ‘only push as much as we can’.

One ‘quick fix’ suggestion put forward to help increase footfall in the Henblas Street area was extending the outdoor Monday Market down the street.

Cllr Dana Davies said: “With the occupancy the only way we can can influence is is footfall in the area. Are we looking at extending the market and extending down, if not reaching it down Henblas Street itself, if we can reach across the top just to influence a footfall or a pathway through that area?”

“It would be better for the private shops too, if the footfall is there it is easier to negotiate.”

Cllr Davies added: “It is saturated on Queen Square for the market stalls, so it could easily space it out and get that foot flow moving.”

However referencing experiences with the Wrexham Street Festival, Mr Lewis said: “It is something to look at. With the street festivals we have have tried doing things on Henblas Street.

“It takes time to get the message to people and to tell them that there is something around the corner and give them a reason to go.”

Amanda Davies noted that extending the market could well be ‘easy and quick’ however as there are a number of stakeholders to consult and speak with before anything can be done it was stressed no plans to do so had been confirmed, or if the plans were possible.

*Pre-empting the question on social media – Wrexham Council do not own the large retail units (such as the former TJ Hughes and BHS) on Henblas Square!