Depression

After yesterday's lighter look at life, the news that Llandudno has seen more shops shut than anywhere else in North Wales since the beginning of 2009, with 18.5% of its 139 town centre premises lying vacant, compared to just 2% last year, doesn't bring cheer to the heart.
In Colwyn Bay, 5.4% of the resort’s 85 shop premises are not being used but no one can deny that Mostyn Street is looking very depressed at the moment.


There are those who say it's tough luck, and that the best will survive, and that this process is simply weeding out the less capable or viable shops. Others argue that the opening of Parc Llandudno has done a lot of damage to the high street shops, still others that it's the free parking in the retail parks that draws shoppers out of the high street. Some, of course, would argue that this is simply retail evolution taking place.

It's true that the big stores have realised - albeit somewhat belatedly in certain cases - the significance in the burgeoning growth of the internet and have invested in comprehensive online shopping sites. Interestingly, Tesco was the only food store delivering to the likes of Trefriw and Betws until a few weeks ago, when both Somerfield and Sainsbury's expanded their policy to include free delivery to all customers in the far flung rural outback of Llanrwst.

And it's hard to argue against the advantages of having all your goodies delivered to your door for free when compared with the queuing, hassle and driving to get it all yourself. But the high street of any town isn't simply about shopping. It's also about community - a place where you meet people, talk about the weather, natter about the inconsequentialities of life. It's a place where we pass the time of day with folk and meet the visitors that come to our great towns. And in tiny shops, where time simply doesn't have the same meaning and the gentle currents of entropy seem to permeate the very atmosphere, it's also a place where you can still get first class advice if you've got a problem, or want to know the pros and cons of something you're considering buying. These places - these little gems of retail intercourse - are what make our high streets so important, because they have adapted to deal with real people. The list of them is still significant; Kindways, Rest and Be Thankful, Clares, Lyons, Llandudno Music, Ryder's, Gimberts and the Kitchen Range, to name but eight. However, with six shops closing for every new one opening, if we want these places to be around in five years time, we need to use them. And who knows? You might actually enjoy the experience a lot more than sitting in front of the screen and keyboard.