In 2022 44% of people told a Welsh business organisation they used town centres and the high street less following the Covid pandemic. A year on from then, and almost a year since the last significant coronavirus restrictions were lifted in Wales, you would hope that things might have improved.
Of course, since then, we've had the cost-of-living crisis, which has reduced the amount of money many of us have to spend. So what's the picture now? In one Welsh town which, right now, is having some serious discussions about its future - Bridgend - it's a little gloomy.
The town is considering ditching pedestrianisation - a reversal of a policy which became trendy the length and breadth of Wales as a way to free town and city centres of traffic and let shoppers stroll freely amongst the shops. The idea has been embraced by businesses in the town - who say it can't come soon enough.
