Spar’s takings warning

Welshpool’s popular Spar has admitted it is watching its takings very closely after suffering a substantial dip since the one-way system opened.

 

The shop has reported a drop in takings by up to a quarter over the last fortnight as shoppers’ habits appear to have altered along with the road system.

 

But while there was talk in the town that staff had been given a 10-hour reduction in weekly hours, one senior employee has said that is not the case, although there are concerns.

 

“One employee has transferred and we have lost another to Tesco and they will not be replaced, but the drop in trade is a concern,” he said, asking not to be named. “It used to be convenient to just pop into the Spar but that doesn’t appear to be the case now with the new road system. We have not cut working hours and we would only do so in a worst case scenario as we want to keep all of our staff.”

 

He added that the next fortnight would be crucial as the giant Tesco superstore will open its doors for business next Monday. Just last week we reported how another local trader had reported a 20 per cent dip in takings during the first week of the one-way system compared to the same week a year earlier.

 

Meanwhile, around the corner, the former National Milk Bar has reopened this week and has been called the Castle Cafe offering a similar menu as before.