Several New Independent Businesses Set-up Shop in Wrexham

A number of local and independent businesses have set-up shop in Wrexham Town Centre over the past two months – with plans underway to encourage more small businesses to the town.

Since August several new local and independent businesses have opened up in Wrexham Town Centre, including a retro gaming shop on Henblas Street, a barber shop and the expansion of a home and gift shop in the Central Arcade, a new store and the relocation of Soda on Bank Street, a stall selling bakery items in the Butchers Market and Mexican restaurant ‘Amigos’ celebrated its launch on King Street last week.

A new nail and beauty bar is also set to open next door to Claire’s Accessories on Regent Streets in the next few weeks. A new stall in the People’s Market selling gifts and toys over the Christmas period has also recently opened.

In August Wrexham.com also reported that a new independent cafe and boutique had opened as well.

Speaking at this month’s Town Centre Forum Meeting, Chairman Nigel Lewis said: “In the past month I’ve not seen any shops close in September. None have closed and people are taking the opportunity, on Central Arcade there is hardly a vacant property.

“I’ve noticed a lot of new businesses coming into town are very proactive with their marketing online and what they do which has benefits for other people in those streets.”

Mr Lewis added: “All but one of council premises on Henblas Street has been painted and hopefully see them occupied in coming months. One thing have noticed on street festival is the start-up and home businesses coming and participating for a day.

“We need to encourage people to start-up, get a market stall and hopefully if we get help on businesses rates they can take a step up to a main shop. I know local businesses who would go onto Regent Street and Hope Street tomorrow if they had the chance.”

Work is underway by a team of volunteers in Wrexham to help encourage landlords of premises in the town centre to tidy them up and make them attractive to potential tenants. More recently the former Thomas Cook store on Regent Street was redecorated and tidied up by its landlord.

A series of street clean-ups have also been carried out across the town, to help restore pride in the streets and make the town more attractive to those who are visiting and looking to set up shop.

Mr Lewis added: “It’s all about pride and presentation, if it is clean and presentable it is a good start.

“There are a number of landlords starting to take pride in their properties. The old Feathers has been painted and the old Thomas Cook has been painted – we spoke to landlord who said they would tidy it up. It looks presentable.

“A final letter now been drafted to landlords of vacant properties encouraging them to participate in cleaning their vacant properties. The Council does have statatory powers to make people do these things. The intent is to show people what is being done and encourage them to participate.”