More independent shops closed in Welsh towns and cities than any other UK region
MORE independent shops closed in Welsh towns and cities such as Swansea in the second half of last year than any other region across the UK.
The latest figures from the Local Data Company show the independent sector shrank by 3.3 per cent across Wales as a whole.
This was in comparison to two per cent growth in the sector in Scotland.
Dai Davies, Development Manager for the South Wales Region for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, said: "These figures are extremely worrying, and together with recent figures on high vacancy rates in Wales, show the challenge facing our local businesses on the high street.
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"Governments on a national and local level need to use the tools at their disposal to breathe life back into our town centres.
"FSB Wales believes that allowing local authorities to retain a proportion of business rate revenue would create an incentive to boost local economies and to this end we continue to call for the full devolution of business rates to Wales.
"Independent shops had been traditionally filling the void when some of the big retail chains went under so it is concerning to see that the second half of 2012 saw the first negative change since 2010.
"Small entrepreneurs want to thrive and grow and it's the job of government, on a local and national level to create as favourable a business environment as possible to encourage them to do that."
Swansea Business Improvement District chief executive Russell Greenslade said: "Over the period mentioned about 15 independent businesses have opened in the city centre as well as several new office-based businesses in Alexander House and on Princess Way.
"We'll continue to work with other organisations in recruiting new and developing businesses into the city centre to make the area a better place to do business."
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "Mystery shopping surveys last year found Swansea city centre to be the third best in the UK for independent traders.
"There are more than 200 independent traders in the city centre based in areas like Swansea Market, Lower Oxford Street, High Street, Castle Street and Singleton Street.
"A business called Once Upon a Cupcake has recently moved to bigger premises on Plymouth Street and a restaurant called Madeira has just opened on The Kingsway."
4 Comments
by TaipeiSteve
Friday, March 01 2013, 6:02PM
“Swansea has to increase the footfall in the city centre to avoid further decline. Personally, I recommend that the WG make the area around High Street Station a business enterprise zone. It is a perfect location in terms of convenience for out of town commuters, would be relatively inexpensive to redevelop as most of the buildings in the area are in a derelict or otherwise neglected state and its closeness to the city centre would ensure an increase the footfall in the main shopping areas.
With some imagination, a revamped Palace Theatre building could be at the heart of a small, but vibrant business district.”
by SWEPRupertH
Friday, March 01 2013, 2:38PM
“Lezz_T
The Evening Post did run an article last week on the number of empty shops in Swansea, here is the link: http://tinyurl.com/cwzqdk2”
by tellyon
Friday, March 01 2013, 1:17PM
“Small independent firms have unfair competition from the big firms who can bulk buy stock and dodge tax on a grand scale. The biggesy enemy of small business... is big business!”
by Lezz_T
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:37PM
“So everything in Swansea is fine?
Just don't mention the fact that a quarter of Swansea's shop units are empty.
It would be nice to have a local newspaper that did a little more than just trot out 'spin'.
Obviously nothing has changed under the new editor.”