New High St will offer ‘best possible experience’ – but businesses have to provide their own hospitality areas

Wrexham’s city centre refurb is well underway, but some traders will be equipping their own outside hospitality areas despite being under the impression the initial kit-out was part of the council work.

Some businesses in the works area had queried the status of outdoor hospitality areas, with a perception early in the project that a standardised set of european style ‘cafe culture’ equipment would be part of the scheme – with low green areas, gazebos, heaters and seating. Those areas also appeared in the mock up images shared by Wrexham council in several press releases associated with the works.

Historically Wrexham.com had been aware of debates between traders and the council over the operational nature of that, who would be responsible for paying for replacements, how gas heaters would fit with licence terms and similar issues around how the provision would work including storage – not if it was happening.

At the start of July we queried the political leadership on that discussion, and was told the project would result in a ‘consistent’ look and feel to the external hospitality areas, with the desire they could ‘be open twelve months of the year, people using restaurants and everything within the High Street, it will be a smart street to look at, and that will be our template’.

Since then it appears there has been changes to the project, with Abbott Street now having more work taking place, and traders told that they will have purchase the items to create the external seating and trading areas. Some are upset that they had been told that it was never the plan to have such items provided, as well as the apparent justification that if the council provided such items then others around the city centre could also request them.

This month the Council Leader said shared the view of traders, that he was under the impression that such items were part of the overall project.

We asked Wrexham Council for an update, and clarification if a u-turn has taken place, if it was incorrect communication at the start of the project, or if there had been a change of plan.

Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy and Regeneration confirmed that businesses will have an ‘option’ to invest in the outside hospitality areas, and that it isn’t part of the end project, “Improvement works on High Street, York Street, Town Hill and Abbot Street are continuing at pace with the main construction works due to finish in autumn.

“We would like to thank local businesses for their co-operation and understanding whilst works are ongoing and we are trying to accommodate the suggestions and feedback of business and residents during the works.

“The city centre businesses based around the works are still operating as usual and the public’s continued support of these businesses is very welcome.

“Whilst we aim to keep disruption to a minimum, the majority of the disruptive works of the scheme will finish in the autumn, with further work such as tree-planting to commence thereafter.

“Once completed, the works should offer the best possible experience for residents and visitors, as well as providing the option for businesses to invest in street furniture in order to utilise the additional space made available by the works.”

Traders have told Wrexham.com they are awaiting detail from the council on how the outside areas could work, if or how the areas will be equipped and operated, and if seating/shrubbery/heaters et can be kept on the street or will require storage at a yet to be confirmed location.