Business meeting called as Savers bids farewell

As Welshpool bids farewell to Savers this weekend, the Town Council has called a meeting that will share their aims with local businesses amidst a town centre crisis.

Savers will close it doors after trade tomorrow, telling staff that a deal couldn’t be reached with the landlord to make Welshpool a viable branch, and delivering another blow to a struggling town centre that has seen big names depart over the last couple of years.

But more worryingly for town planners is the size of the retail hole opening up on The Cross with Savers, the former charity shop and former HSBC all vacant and long-standing Geneva expected to finally call it a day soon.

But the Town Council says it wants to build a “shared vision” with local businesses that will help to achieve a “Welcome Welshpool for everyone to work, live and visit”.

Business owners and managers located in Llanerchyddol, Gungrog or Castle wards are being invited by the Town Mayor, Cllr Alison Davies, for canapes and a glass of wine on Tuesday, June 21, from 5.30pm-7pm in the Powis Suite, Royal Oak Hotel.  

“The opportunity to meet local businesses and discuss the Town Council’s aims is, in my view much needed,” the Mayor explained. “This reception will also offer an opportunity for our local business owners to get to know each other better, learn from each other, sharing thoughts and ideas.

“We’ve a lot of work to do to achieve a ‘Welcoming Welshpool’ for everyone to work, live and visit; this needs us to understand each others’ needs, expectations and aims. Over the coming months we want to build a shared vision in which everyone can have a stake.”

The Town Council said it has collated 76 interviews with local businesses and the feedback will be incorporated into developing a Town Plan which will provide the evidence base to secure resources to create a Welshpool fit for the future

To attend, email Kimberly@welshpooltowncouncil.gov.uk by 9am on June 21.