NEW businesses will inject life back into a town hit hard by the recession, according to a community official.
Ingrid Lewis, manager of Colwyn Bay town, said independent stores were the “life blood” of Colwyn Bay. Flextech Gym will be a new arrival to Penrhyn Road, bringing aboutfour jobs and fitness facilities. Proprietor Paul Edwards hopes to open the gym, which was previously a bathroom store, in the next four to five weeks.
Printing store, The Big Photo Shop and Vue Studios hope to open their new business in Penrhyn Road next week.
Mrs Lewis said: “The independent businesses make a huge difference to Colwyn Bay. All the little, unique shops are what is so different about the town. We now have 60 small businesses who have decided to get involved in our new website to promote their products. People will be able to support them online by buying their products. It is fantastic. With so many new shops coming in we are seeing movement all the time.”
National chains have also shown interest in Colwyn Bay, with Poundworld describing their move to the former Aldi unit as a “significant milestone” for the company. The Original Factory shop has also transformed the former Litten Tree public house venue on Station Road.
This week sold signs appeared on an empty unit in Princess Drive, which was previously KFC. The neighbouring site has been earmarked for development in the council’s regeneration masterplan for Colwyn Bay.
Further good news came last week, when the St Paul’s project, run by the church, announced their intentions to transform the former Motorworld unit on Sea View Road into a centre for youth activity.
But some businesses are still suffering from the after effects of the economic crisis. Guy’s Newsagents in Conway Road, Colwyn Bay, ceased trade on Saturday, this month after 21 years. Roy Waddington, proprietor of the newagents, said: “It has now become apparent that the business is no long sustainable, my decision to close the business has not been one that I have taken lightly, and for some time now have even subsidised the business from personal funds.”
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