Last in traders' group shuts shop

Peter Grant said he did not think the High Street would recover soon

The chairman and last committee member of a city's traders association is calling it a day and closing his shop.

Peter Grant said he was the last of 11 association members who have closed their businesses in Bangor, Gwynedd.

Mr Grant, who has run the gift shop for 10 years, said he was shutting down over a combination of personal reasons and trading conditions.

At one mile (1.6 km) long the city of Bangor reputedly has the longest High Street in Wales.

As in other town centres there are a number of closed shops.

Mr Grant said a combination of things were responsible for the shops closing, including the growth of the out-of-town retail park, internet shopping, and the recession.

There are less people around

Abdul Waheed, shop owner

"Of the 11 committee members of the trader's association we have all moved or closed, it is pretty sad," said Mr Grant.

"Some people say small shops will make a come back when chains leaving the high street bring down prices for shops, but I don't think that's going to happen," he added.

Mr Grant said the closure of his Bangor shop was a result of personal reasons and the fact Christmas takings were down 90% on last year.

A second shop in Beaumaris on Anglesey will stay open.

Jo Pott, who owns a clothes shop, interiors shop and cafe on Bangor High Street, said she was "concerned" for the first time in 20 years of trading.

The relocation of the Debenhams store from the top of the road to the town centre, followed by the closure of the Aga shop had affected trade, even before the downturn in the economy.

Shops such as Woolworths closing means there's less of a reason to come into Bangor

Caroline Underwood, shopper

"There's no reason for people to walk up here now, and it has had a knock-on on our businesses," she said.

Ms Pott said she partly blamed it on the media for "talking it up" by mentioning problems with the economy all the time, as people were less inclined to shop.

"Usually January is quite busy as people are still in shopping mode since Christmas, but this year it's very quiet.

"What we need is a high quality shop to relocate here, something to give the town more kudos, a reason for people to come here," she added.

Mr Grant's gift shop will close on Saturday 10 January

The owner of Cob Records, Owen Hughes, said he had survived at least two recessions already.

"Cob Records in Porthmadog opened in 1968, and Bangor in 1979, so we have lived through this kind of thing before - but each time it is a little different.

"You can't make snap decisions though, you have to look at things over the course of the year as a whole," he added.

Fewer shoppers is also hitting Shahhalal Eastern Foods.

"We are doing our best, but there are less people around," said owner Abdul Waheed.

"Lots of supermarkets are selling food cheaper than we can," he added.