FISH and chip shop owners in Penarth say the town’s high street is not failing despite closing their fish shop.
The Posh Fish and Chip Company are closing their Glebe Street store, however co-owner Laura Davenport wants to emphasize it is not a bad news story for Penarth high street.
In fact, Ms Davenport says there is already a new food outlet lined up to take their place.
Ms Davenport described Penarth’s high street as in transition, with businesses looking to meet 'shoppers changing demands'.
“Penarth high street is definitely not failing,” said Ms Davenport, “it’s just businesses are changing in line with the different things people want.”
This is a sentiment echoed when Penarth Times covered a new store opening, however the owner was a seasoned pro at trading in the town.
Cathy Evans has traded in Penarth for almost 30 year, owning stores including Bo Jangles and Uppercrust.
She also said Penarth is in a “transition phase” and was confident the town would bounce back – something seen in the news after it was revealed the Bears Head is going to be immediately taken over by pub chain Croeso Pubs.
Read more on Penarth's high street
The Posh Fish and Chip Company was started by Ms Davenports partner Hamid Kowsor, opening their flagship store in Llandaff, Cardiff, then the company opened their second premise on Penarth’s Glebe Street.
Now, that store is closing and Ms Davenport and Mr Kowsor are taking their trade to Barry where they plan to open ice cream and coffee store ‘Scoop’ on Barry Island.
On the change, Ms Davenport emphasized the couple were doing it not because they failed in Penarth, but because they are going on to something ‘bigger and better’.
Ms Davenport acknowledged trade in Penarth did change – specially when Covid hit – they opened the fish shop in Penarth just before the pandemic.
She said footfall is down, but her business didn’t suffer because they were heavily delivery based, something Covid only encouraged.
“The town centre in Penarth has definitely changed,” said Ms Davenport.
“It is not as busy as it was in terms of footfall, but our business did not change from an orders perspective because we were always heavily reliant there.
“We always did well in Penarth.”
Another one bites the dust? On to pastures new? Change and renewal? Will you miss the fish shop? How do you think Penarth's high street is faring?
Let us know in comments, on our Facebook page, or email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
Got a story in Penarth? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
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