Conwy shopkeepers urge people to shun supermarkets

Sep 30 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Conwy shopkeepers

TRADERS in Conwy say shoppers should shun supermarkets in favour of buying locally.

The medieval town has many independent shops including a greengrocer, bakery, butcher and sweet shop, and traders are praising Conwy’s array of small businesses.

Shopkeepers believe fresh, locally sourced produce and homemade food is key to attracting customers.

Paul Wallo has just taken over Fruits and Shoots on Castle Street and believed his customers value the fact they are buying local produce fresh.

“I think this is what people are missing, small shops rather than supermarkets,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot in Conwy to attract people. The bakery next door has got its own ovens and bakes its own bread every day at 4am and the cakes are made fresh on the day.

“There’s Edwards the butcher on the High Street, which is superb, and the chap across the road who makes his own ice cream.

“Everybody is in a supermarket mentality because it is cheap. But everything is here in Conwy, most of the produce I sell is either from Llanrwst farmers or direct from the market.

“I can’t say it is always cheaper, but most of it is and it is fresher and you can come here and ask a question and know where the food comes from.”

Abdul Elkhrouf runs Conwy Ice Cream on Castle Street and said: “My ice cream is made from local ingredients, it is not factory made.”

John Roberts runs the Conwy Bakery and believes Conwy offers a unique service.

“Our customers like Conwy because it is a historic place, and we bake all our stuff on the premises, which is unusual,” he said.

“You get a nice friendly service and I think people like to see their food getting made, they like to know where it comes from and it’s all local produce.

“We’ve had a great summer and the town’s Chamber of Trade is having meetings to move the town forward. Hopefully the future is bright and Conwy will grow.”