Wrexham businesses give their views on High Street works

Work on regenerating the High Street began in July, with Wrexham Council looking to implement the pedestrianisation of Yorke Street / High Street / Town Hill and Abbot Street, create green spaces and plant trees, as well as installing of new paving blocks, granite kerbing and street furniture.

Regeneration plans (Image: Wrexham Council) The work is scheduled to be completed towards the end of October, much to the delight of traders, who were recently praised for their patience by Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard. 

On Friday (September 27), the Leader went into Wrexham to get the views of some of the businesses affected by High Street works. 

Bethan Adey (Image: NQ) Bethan Adey, of Hope Street Church said: "The summer is a weird time for us anyway as people tend to go on holiday away from Wrexham. 

"That being said it does feel like footfall has been down whilst the works have been ongoing, it feels like we've been quieter. There's also been the issues with getting our deliveries in. 

"But it's not all bad, the actual work looks good and hopefully it will be better once completed, we just want to see a bit more increased footfall really."

Neil Roberts (Image: NQ) Owner of Vault 33, Neil Roberts added: "We're relatively new so it's not going to have had the same impact on us as some of the others on the High Street. 

"We're just approaching being open for six months, so this is almost all we know. 

"We attended all the consultations and all the meetings and it looked really positive, but there have been some bumps in the road. 

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"The tough part is we were told we'd be getting outdoor furniture funded but that doesn't seem to be happening anymore. We have plans to put something out there but we don't know what yet as we didn't budget for it. 

"The lads that are doing the work have been brilliant and you can't fault them as they're just doing their jobs, it just seems that the plans have changed all of a sudden.

"Hopefully we can all come together and come to an agreement that works for everyone and once the work is finished, the High Street will be where people want to come and can feel safe."

Sophie Jacobson (Image: NQ) Sophie Jacobson, from Creu on Hope Street, said: "It feels like it's been a building site since we moved in, with all the different works going on. 

"Sometimes it seems that people are missing us as they're having to walk all the way round the different bits of equipment outside. 

"But it's not all bad, it does look good and I'm hoping we can reap the benefits of the work in the long term."

Owner of the Bank Bistro, Alex Martin-Jones added: "To say we've lost thousands is an understatement, it's been really tough on businesses on the High Street. 

"We were told there would be pain before gain, but we're not seeing any gain."

Yorke Street, Wrexham (Image: NQ) Earlier this week, a letter was sent by Wrexham's Nightsafe members, a group of businesses and initiatives focuses on improving Wrexham's night life, to Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive of the local authority raising concerns about a 'U-turn' over the outside dining areas. 

The letter reads: "During the consultation process, where we met with officers who wanted to work with us it was explained that the outside seating areas will be integral to the project."

Town Hill, Wrexham (Image: NQ) Since the consultation, the group has continued to ask questions over the new operations. The letter adds: "Nightsafe also asked for information on the outside areas, which now we understand there will be none, but can their be clarity on when there was a u-turn, who made that decision and why?

"The idea now of finding the money to purchase the seats, tables, heaters, parasols etc to enable the overall council vision is just a dream."

Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy and Regeneration said: “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.”