What Do You Think The Future of Henblas Street Will Be? Take Part in Our Poll!

A meeting is to take place today amid growing concern over the future of one of Wrexham’s largest retail areas.

The meeting, which will take place between Chair of the Town Centre Forum Steering group, Andrew Atkinson and Town Centre Manager, Amanda Davies and will centre around Henblas Street and what could be done to tackle the empty shops.

In recent months Henblas Street has become a focus for residents and local business, with concerns about the volume of vacant retail space in the town centre.

The shopping development, with office space above, has seen a number a well-known high street brands vacate since TJ Hughes entered administration in 2011. Since then brands such as Internationale, Evans, The Entertainer and Bodycare have either closed or relocated to more ‘prime’ locations in the town.

The Post Office will also close the doors to its Henblas Street branch after confirming in July that it was to relocate to the first floor of WH Smith in Hope Street. Last week also saw the closure of BHS.

Speaking about why the meeting has been organised, Mr Atkinson said: “It’s incredibly sad to see that whole block empty, I’m not sure how well it’s been marketed over the last few years but sadly it’s a real mess.

“The old TJ Hughes is particularly important as it was more than just a shop it was a vital walkway linking Chester Street and Henblas Street and that part of town has suffered since its closure.

“We will be discussing this in the Steering Group and talking to Council Officers about any plans that they may have for this block or how we can engage with the private sector to find a solution.

“I’ve spoken to various members of the Town Centre Forum with many different ideas including housing, open green space, a restaurant and bar complex, an enterprise centre for new start-ups and more.

“One thing is certain it cannot stay empty in such a central location and a lot of work is needed to get a plan together fast.”

In July Wrexham.com reported that the entire block of shops on Henblas Street had gone up for sale / let – with indications suggesting a change of use for Henblas Square to become a new ‘heart’ of the town with cafe & restaurants.

The closure / relocation of shops from Henblas Street has been ongoing since TJ Hughes entered administration in 2011 – prompting questions as to why no there was no immediate plans for the block of shops.

One project to help regenerate the street has been the Arts Hub, with Cllr Hugh Jones stating earlier this year that the TJ Hughes shop agents have said the Arts Hub plans are ‘vital for revitalising Henblas St’. However the development is unlikely to be complete until 2018.

We pointed out to Mr Atkinson that there had been been concerns over BHS for a while, and similarly the Post Office move was an open secret, and asked him why is there no plan already, or even discussions as the current situation was hardly out of the blue.

Addressing concerns as to why a meeting regarding Henblas Street is happening once the shops have closed, rather than something perhaps more proactive, Mr Atkinson said: “This has been discussed quite regularly with Council Officers at various meetings to find out what is happening.

“We have been told that they were in talks with the new owners but any decision about the future of the block was unlikely from the owners until the outcome was known about the BHS closure.

“Obviously the Council don’t own this block and can’t make any changes, it’s down to the property owner but we urgently need information about whats going on and hope that the Council can have productive talks and an outcome is reached, very soon.”

Previously then Town Centre Forum Chair Nigel Lewis posting on our Facebook page back in April an intriguing message saying “I predict that within 12 – 24 months Henblas St/ Square will be amazing.”

What do you think the future of Henblas Street will be? Likewise, what do you think the empty retail units should be used for? Take part in our two polls below…

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