Town trade dying (From Penarth Times)

Town trade dying

A councillor claims that if Penarth is to prosper, it must follow the example set by Cowbridge.

Vale of Glamorgan and Penarth town councillor Anthony Ernest has expressed concern about the town's future in an interview with the Times.

And a trader in the centre of town has backed him, saying that unless something drastic is done, the town is in danger of "closing down".

Cllr Ernest said: "We need to try to make Penarth into a place like Cowbridge, which has many different specialist shops for shoppers to visit.

"If we can put different types of shops in the town, people will come here specially for a certain product."

Paul Church, owner of P Church grocers, on Glebe Street, went further.

He said: "We need more parking before we need anything else.

There are so many charity shops in Penarth and that is the sign of a dying shopping area.

There has to be something drastic done to help business in this town or we are in danger of closing down.

"There are a lot of good shops here, but I am afraid people are very mobile today and they want to be able to park near the shops.

There must a way of finding a new parking facility.

"We must be one of very few without our own car park."

Cllr Ernest added: "We need to combat the new developments which can take more trade away. The new Ferry Road and other shopping areas will be more competition for Penarth.

"Many shops have already closed in the area because they can't afford to stay here.

"Saddlers Fruits had been here for a hundred years, but sadly had to close.

"The shop was empty for a year until Foxys took over the premises."

Mr Church added: "I am not totally against the pedestrianisation of Glebe Street, if the parking was solved first.

"But without adequate parking facilities, customers will go outside the town centre to Tesco or elsewhere."