Businesses getting back to normal in Betws y Coed

Dec 30 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

BETWS y Coed was back teeming with people this week following the big thaw, and shops are reporting a surge in business.

The village is usually busy throughout the year with visitors from across North Wales and the North West, but the recent snow meant businesses were seriously hit.

However, when the sales started on Boxing Day and the thaw kicked in on December 27 the car parks in the village were once again full.

Sara Ward, the owner of Anna Davies, said the shop was busy: “We’ve had a good Christmas, although obviously the snow wasn’t good for us.

“But we always have a busy sale, as I think it’s a bit of a tradition to come to Betws, have lunch and come to our sale.”

Gary Ratcliffe manager of the Blacks store, which sells outdoor equipment, was also positive.

He said: “It has been really bad, but the last couple of days has been good.

“Things are really starting to pick up, and it’s even better than normal.

“We’ve sold out of some things,” he added.

Ceri Evans of the Iechyd Da Delicatessen, on Station Road, said that although the cold weather kept the tourists away, it meant more locals were buying in the shop.

She said: “A lot more locals who perhaps wouldn’t normally come in have been buying Christmas gifts in the shop, as they couldn’t go elsewhere because of the snow.

“I’m seeing more tourists around now, things are going back to normal.”

Karen Pugh, of The Log Cabin, also in Station Road, reported brisk business.

She said: “Last week was dead here, even the staff was struggling to get in.

“But it has picked up since, each day is getting better.”

She added: “A lot of locals have been around which is nice to see, I haven’t seen any coach trips recently but then again they do go a bit quiet this time of year.”

Owen Cartwright, who owns the iconic Gwydyr Hotel, in the centre of the village, had suffered a “disastrous” Christmas, and blames the weather forecasters.

He said: “We were getting people cancelling on Christmas Day because they’d heard that the A470 was closed when it wasn’t!

“I’d like to praise the workers from Conwy County Council who have done a fantastic job in keeping all the roads open, I can’t praise them enough.

“I’m furious that the wrong information was given out, what we have lost will not be made up until next Summer.

“We were told this week by the weather forecasters that there was going to be more snow, when there wasn’t and all this duff information is terrible for business.”