Llandudno town centre could receive winter fair boost

Jun 4 2009 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

A STRUGGLING shopping street could receive a boost if a major event is staged there in the run-up to Christmas.

But first a ban on street trading will have to be lifted.

The organisers of Llandudno’s annual Celtic Winter Fayre want to move it from the Mostyn Champneys retail park to Madoc Street.

And on Tuesday, town councillors backed the move to lift the street trading ban, saying they believe businesses in the street will benefit from it.

The event is organised by the Llandudno Regeneration Partnership, and committee member David Williams said they had canvassed Madoc Street business owners who largely welcomed it.

“Last year’s fayre attracted 22,000 people and we believe that to bring that number of people into Madoc Street will be beneficial,” he said.

A bylaw which bans street trading will have to be lifted to allow the event to go ahead, and councillor Alun Barrett urged the town council to support the move.

“Some people have suggested that lifting the ban could have an adverse effect, but it doesn’t mean all and sundry will be allowed to trade on the street in the future, as anyone wishing to do so would have to apply to Conwy County Council for permission,” he said.

David Williams said the lifting of the street trading ban was crucial to whether or not the fayre could be staged in Madoc Street.

“Since we first canvassed businesses there, two more have closed so we believe this event is important to put Madoc Street back on the map.

“It is wonderful news that the town council has endorsed the application to lift the street trading law which doesn’t mean that itinerant traders can come into the street, but is a step forward for our plans.

“Some people had expressed concerns that lifting the ban could open the floodgates to street traders but that would not be the case,” he claimed.

The owner of a Madoc Street business, who didn’t want to be named, said 20 offices and shops in the street had closed in the past couple of years.

“I have written supporting the Celtic Winter Fayre because although I don’t think it will have benefits for my particular business I think it will be positive for the street as a whole.

“Since Parc Llandudno opened the street has become a bit of a forgotten backwater and this will bring in shoppers and visitors who will see that it has a lot to offer in terms of specialist shops and services,” he commented.

The decision on whether or not to lift the street trading ban will be taken by Conwy County Council at a later date.