Big increase in town shoppers

Figures released by the town council have revealed a whopping 29% increase in Welshpool residents saying that they now shop in the town, rather than travelling further afield.

The figure has been included in the latest Town and Community plan which is now updated and available to view ahead of its adoption by the full council later this month.

Among the revealing statistics, the figure that will please planners the most is that 89% of Welshpool residents say that they ‘most regularly’ shop in the town, an increase from the 60% recorded five years ago for the previous plan. Even more than half of the town’s youth - at 51% - said that they shop most regularly in the town for the same survey carried out at the high school.

“It is a very impressive figure,” said Town Clerk, Robert Robinson, who added that the survey was done after the introduction of Aldi and B&M to the town.

“It shows that the introduction of these shops has increased the number of people staying in town to shop rather than travel to places like Oswestry like they have done previously.”

Every household in the town council area was invited to take part in the survey which has shaped the town’s priorities for the next five years. Almost 700 replied along with 400 more from the high school.

The full plan for adoption is available:  http://www.welshpooltowncouncil.gov.uk/documents/user/TanCPLAN2017-2022FINALDEPOSITPLAN.pdf