Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is calling for Conwy County Borough Council to convene a summit with businesses, elected representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the development of an action plan to turn around the fortunes of Colwyn Bay Town Centre.

Darren is concerned at the decline in the number of shoppers who are visiting the centre, and was disappointed to learn that The Artisan Market Company will no longer be managing the monthly Colwyn Bay Local Market from the end of this month. The company have cited several reasons for pulling out, including the drop in shoppers in the last 18 months which have failed to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

Darren is keen for Conwy County Borough Council to explore how it can support existing businesses and attract new retailers to the town and has urged the local authority to set up a summit to discuss a way forward.

He said:

“Colwyn Bay town centre was once a thriving shopping hub that both locals and visitors would frequent but sadly businesses are struggling and a number of retailers have pulled out of the town in recent months. The loss of the market is yet a further blow to the town’s fortunes and it is vital that urgent action is now taken to halt the decline.

“I am urging Conwy County Borough Council to convene a summit, engage with businesses and other stakeholders, and develop an action plan to revive the town centre. This could include reviewing its unpopular Active Travel plan, whether Station Road should be de-pedestrianised, and the adequacy of parking provision.

“Turning town centres around is no mean feat, but with dedication and drive, coupled with good ideas, it can be achieved. It has in other town centres in the country, so why not Colwyn Bay?”

He added:

“With many businesses expecting a huge increase in business rates from April as a result of the Welsh Government reducing business rate relief, the council cannot afford to wait and expect that everything will resolve itself.”