Llanrwst fruit and veg stallholder quits after row

Tatws Trading’s stall has been one of the main attractions at Llanrwst Market on Ancaster Square for decades.

The twice-weekly market is organised by Llanrwst Town Council.

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But it’s understood that a row at town council level has caused Emyr Owen of Tatws Trading to give up his Tuesday pitch.

The row is believed to be about shops placing street furniture on the square on market days. After months of complaints, Mr Owen has announced that he will not be returning to the market, despite the popularity of his stall. “It is sad. We’ve been here a long time,” he said.

Emyr Owen of Tatws Trading. Llanrwst Market..

He added: “But there comes a time when things have got to come to an end. This has been boiling along for a long time, and I did sort of say a few months back that, if things weren’t sorted out, I would be saying farewell.

“Life has been rather difficult, working here over the last few months, due to the atmosphere. If there was a dispute, there was no need for it. At the end of the day on market day, market rules prevail. The rules are on the charter. So on a Tuesday and Saturday, all furniture must be kept within the curtilage of the shop. That hasn’t happened. That is not a problem because it was worked out. Then all of a sudden, there were some issues over that.

“Our customers are all upset. We have got other outlets close by, but we came here to provide a service, which I’ve done over my whole lifetime. It is sad, but I’m one of them – I get on with life.”

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Several Llanrwst Town councillors were unhappy the row had led to Tatws Trading leaving the market. Mayor Cllr Alun Jones said: “It’s difficult for us to comment, but there has been an interaction and some ill feeling between Tatws Trading and a small minority who have got at Emyr and Tatws Trading for whatever reason.

“But that feeling is not representative of the feeling of the town council. I have to stress that. The town council has done all it could, including myself, and has spoken at length with Emyr to try and get him to change his mind, but as he said, he’s at an age now where enough is enough. He can’t take any more.”

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He added: “Historically, on a Tuesday, it’s the market holders who have the square for their use, and there was some dispute over how far Tatws Trading (the market stall encroaching onto the pavement) went. You’ve seen yourself – they leave plenty of room for movement, plenty of room for customers, and other people using the square to move around accordingly, so really it is unfair.”

“It is a hugely sad day, not just for Llanrwst but the surrounding communities. Many people from the surrounding communities visit on market day.”

Cllr Huw Prys Jones added: “Tatws Trading has given many years of dedicated service to the town, especially during the two years of Covid and lockdowns. We are really sad to see them go.

“As a council, we are 100% committed to the future of the market. We just are expressing our anger at the way Tatws Trading has been intimidated by a small minority of utterly unrepresentative individuals.”

A spokesman for Llanrwst Town Council commented “The thing that has been going on has nothing to do with the town council. I’ve got no further comment to make at the moment.”

Conwy County Council was contacted for a comment.