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.
Read more: The problem with derelict properties in Bridgend and what the council is doing about it
But can it really encourage any of those 44% who said a year ago they were going to town less, and haven't changed their ways since, to change them now. You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Venetia Steele, who runs Venetia Steele Boutique thought there was lots that needed to be done. She said she had seen a change in the number of people coming into the town and blamed access issues. She said: “Parking is expensive and difficult- and there are apps people can’t use.
"There are not enough spaces. It is difficult to access the town centre as it’s pedestrianised and anti-social behaviour from young kinds puts people off from coming in - police are doing their best to control this. There aren't enough shops in the centre with everyone buying online. Venetia Steele is doing well as we sell online but have a strong high street presence as we offer a bespoke service of one to one styling."
Kim Healy, who runs the gift shop, Rapscallions, in Bridgend also said: "I opened a shop in market street last November and it was ok at Christmas, quite slow since. There is a Wales-wide permanent rates relief for anything 6k or less in business rates which needs to be advertised so small businesses who may be thinking of opening a small shop can also open up and hopefully bring in more people.
"More events and markets need to come back and need much better advertising than recent events. It's ridiculously hard to open a shop with prices being as high as Cardiff and Swansea when we are just a slow little town." You can read more stories about Bridgend here.
The Federation of Small Businesses Cymru (FSBC) survey also found that 46% of people used town centres and the high street about the same, with just 10% saying they used them more. In contrast, 57% said they used online shopping more, 40% about the same and 3% less. The survey also found that people overwhelmingly expressed negative sentiments about the state of their town centre or high street, with 67% describing theirs as "bad" or "bleak". And the feeling was similar in Bridgend when WalesOnline recently caught up with residents to find out what they made of their town centre.
When considering how Bridgend was doing, resident Delyth Woods said: "Bridgend has some areas that are being redeveloped, but a lot of the old shops are looking sad and dilapidated. There are some very nice shops, but not enough to bring you in every day. Also quite a few nice eating places. Small shops are probably struggling because of McArthur Glen and supermarkets."
Dee Curtis added: "New businesses can't afford the rent and rates. Let's have some initiative whereby they get subsidised bills for the first year. There are too many empty shops. Nothing to tempt buyers."
Another Bridgend resident, who requested to remain anonymous, said: "The town went down when pedestrianisation was introduced. It became inaccessible to those with limited mobility. It used to be a lovely market town."
Freya Sykes, the soon-to-be mayor of the town, said she had noticed fewer people visiting Bridgend, and was hoping its popularity could soon change. She said: "Bridgend Town Council has never sought to put in place its own version of a town plan and it's something I intend to instigate after May 22.
"I will be putting in place a working group to make changes to our town where the council can and to invite other stakeholders to follow suit too." Considering the improvements she is already trying to put into motion, Freya said: “I have also asked about Compulsory Purchase Orders that BCBC can pursue to upgrade the run down and often dangerous buildings in town like the old Ranch.
She added: “Pre-covid, one of the largest public responses BCBC ever had to a public consultation was for the partial pedestrianisation of town. Overwhelmingly the public wanted it, they called for it, yet again the council have failed to implement the actual will of the people.
“It's obviously frustrating for the public to see our county town failing and faltering through lack of fresh thinking, and simple improvements and investments, especially when residents can see Porthcawl seafront, harbour and Coney Beach having millions invested there, along with additional millions going to upgrading the Pavilion. Similarly, the public also see millions being invested in Maesteg at their town hall, yet their county town has to rely on external investment from proactive companies and entities.
"Bridgend town has a rich history and could have a wonderfully vibrant future with a small amount of investment and forethought. And that is the line I intend to pursue as Madam Mayor. I will do my utmost to make Bridgend an improved space during my term, for all residents and visitors to enjoy."
But Bridgend is not alone with its struggles. The issue is something that's affecting Wales as a whole, in all different corners of the country.
A spokesperson for the FSBC said in its report a year ago, 'A vision for Welsh towns' : “FSB Wales’ vision for our town centres is aligned with what people want to see in these spaces: a vibrant future for small retail businesses, the ability to feel safe and enjoy throughout the day and year, and a strong sense of character across the many functions that it serves.
"In short, our vision for town centres is ensuring that they are fit for the twenty-first century. Revitalising towns is about evolving these spaces in a way that works for the values and priorities of people and small businesses. Decision-makers can be in no doubt around the bleak state of many of our town centres, nor the scale of the challenges that need to be overcome. Revitalising our town centres will be an uphill struggle.
"There is no one single policy or one single actor that will revive our town centres."
According to the Welsh Retail Consortium, shopper footfall in Wales rose by 3% in April. Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: "Whilst there is a little sunlight for retailers and retail destinations in these figures, there is a risk of a false dawn. The pace of growth last month slackened markedly and was at its weakest level since last October.
"Furthermore, the uplift was not universally seen across all destinations with shopping centres seeing a fall in visitors for the first time in six months. Overall, Welsh foot-traffic remained 18% down on pre-pandemic levels, underlining the protracted nature of the challenges facing much of retail.
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, which says on its website that it 'powers retail operations and provides shoppers with experiences that are frictionless and personalised', said: “Footfall saw growth again in April, even if more modest than in the first quarter. This is despite a continuing cost-of-living crisis and inflation in most categories, not least food.
"With April marking a year on from the end of the last remaining covid restrictions across the UK, as well as the first energy price cap increase, remarkably, retailers are starting to see some stability... the outlook does remain tough however, and double-digit growth was always going to fizzle out as the year went on and footfall trends began to normalise.
"Nevertheless, rising consumer confidence and a May full of holidays is surely something that retailers can look forward to.”
Council Leader Huw David said: “A great deal of work takes place to support and promote our town centres across Bridgend County Borough. The ways in which people shop, visit and use town centres are continuing to evolve, and it is very clear that carefully-planned changes and improvements must be implemented in order to capitalise upon this and ensure that our town centres do not get left behind.
“As the council neither owns commercial premises nor sets business rates, we are focused upon providing an environment that encourages visitors, supports existing business and stimulates new enterprise. To achieve this, we are working alongside partners such as private landowners and a range of other organisations such as Cadw and the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
“For example, our Townscape Heritage initiatives have been recognised as being some of the most effective in the UK, and have seen millions invested into bringing landmark buildings back into use in areas such as Bridgend and Porthcawl. This has been instrumental in transforming areas ranging from Elder Yard and the former Victoria public house to the Harlequin and Jennings buildings, paving the way for new businesses to establish themselves.
“Elsewhere, our Transforming Towns programme has helped to deliver successful multi-million pound schemes in Maesteg and Bridgend, while our Vacant Property Action Plan is targeting commercial and residential properties and is bringing them back into use.
“In Pencoed, we remain ambitious for plans that include creating a new road traffic bridge and shutting down the current level crossing, and in Bridgend town centre, our regeneration masterplan is moving forward with ambitious schemes such as relocating Bridgend College into the heart of the town, transforming derelict and empty buildings into new shops and housing, improving vehicular access, enhancing rail and bus transport links, and much more.”
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