THE ghost town dying high street narrative is something we hear a little too much right now, but Penarth is taking a big step to change that after making it through the final of a UK award that celebrates resilient high streets.
‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ is a nationwide showcase run by Visa, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium, celebrating towns across the UK, and Penarth has made it to the final four of the rising star category.
The town could be in line for a £10,000 boost for its “resilient high street”.
Penarth Business Group chair John Davies says it’s a huge accolade for Penarth to be in the running, and will help change a negative high street narrative.
“People say all the shops are closing, but that is not true,” said Mr Davies as we met at one of Penarth’s famous independent cafes, Foxy’s on Stanwell Road.
“Penarth has a lower than average vacancy rate and saying shops are closing is discounting the efforts of shop owners working hard to keep the high street alive,” said Mr Davies.
“Visa and the British retail consortium is a big thing. The kudos and shouting power round it can be great and it will help us turn round the narrative.”
Mr Davies knows what he is talking about being the business custodian of highstreets including Cowbridge, Pontcanna and Roath, Cardiff, but he says Penarth is that bit ahead of the curb.
“Penarth has the most buoyant and engaged business owners,” said Mr Davies. “A lot is going for the town. You have almost everything you need in a backdrop which includes the coast, the country and the city all on your doorstep.”
(A resilient high street considered ahead of the rest)
(Penarth Business Group Chair John Davies filled out a 3,000 word application to put Penarth in the running for a UK business award)
Penarth Business Group has done much for the town including help promote Appy local online selling space similar to Amazon, and worked with South Wales Police to allow people to report crime easier – something that will entice new business.
It all adds up to lead Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, to be, “excited by the prospect of identifying stand-out examples of where towns are supporting businesses.”
(Penarth could be in line for a £10,000 boost)
Next up the business group want to make Penarth trendy for kids.
“Penarth is famous as an older population,” said Mr Davies, “but it is getting younger and the question now is how can we make Penarth trendy for the likes of Generation Z to want to hang out?”
It’s a big question, one we’re sure the 34-year-old chair will solve. But why does Mr Davies, who runs Penarth View magazine as well as two businesses, is a graphic designer freelance, and who found the time to put the 3,000 word application together for the Visa awards, want to do so much for Penarth?
“I’ve lived in Penarth 10 years and I am fully invested in the town,” said Mr Davies. “If you have a buoyant high street which employs people and offers good services it is good for everybody and builds the community.”
Mr Davies heads to London on St David’s Day for the glitz and glam award to see if Penarth is a winner.
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