The once-busy town centre at a crossroads over how to bring the visitors back
It’s been two years since Chepstow’s High Street was closed to motorists but debates over the impact of the decision remain the talk of a retail centre with an uncertain future. Jonathon Hill reports
WHEN Hayley Miles decided to move her business to one of Wales’ most contentious high streets, she admits she had little idea what she was getting herself into.
Just before Christmas the motherof-two took the plunge to move her clothes and craft business Pig and Pip to Chepstow town centre; a town once hugely popular with English tourists which spiralled to somehow being named the worst high street in Wales last year, and is now stuck in a debate with the local authority over a plan to move forward.
This month marks two years since the town’s High Street was closed to motorists, effectively a half-baked pedestrianisation, for social distancing. In the summer of 2020 the high street was draped with flower beds and ‘parklets’ - all part of Monmouthshire council’s plan to make the town a “destination for visitors” and realise a “cafe culture” potential.
It coincided with a pedestrian crossing at Beaufort Square in the heart of the town being replaced with a zebra crossing to allow “a safe civilised space where cars have less priority”.
The change cost the taxpayer more than £90,000.
The plans weren’t opened up for consultation until earlier this year. A survey rolled out to residents to realise views on the high street’s state closed in March.
The issue still remains talk of the town - with some saying it has left a once bustling street with a lack of an identity.
“It’s not a bad little high street, there are a lot of independent shops and a lot of things on offer,” said Hayley, who decided it was the best place to take her business because her children go to school in the town.
“Maybe I’ve come here with different eyes. People have been telling me I’m brave to have done it. I’m always up for a challenge though. I wanted to try something new.”
A challenge is what she’ll get, and she’s under no illusions of the task now facing her.
“You look out the window on days like today and it’s tough,” she said.
“Today I’ve had no customers so far. It can be disheartening. But over Christmas it was really busy.
“I get a lot of people who come here and say the craft work is really good for their mental health.”
While the council’s eggs seemed firmly placed in the hospitality basket, Hayley is one of a couple of new retailers while a restaurant left in March and a pub and pantry in the town were also put up for sale.
Natalie Davies, an ex-ambulance worker who started her own clothing business Utopia boutique in the town days before Christmas, says she feels pedestrianisation remains crucial if Chepstow is to realise its potential again as a great day out.
“If we let this roll on it’s going to have such an impact on trade and people won’t come into Chepstow,” she said.
“People have been very quick to be negative about the place but there is so much we offer. I see Chepstow as a fantastic destination.
“We’ve got the riverbank and the bandstand which is always brilliant in the summer. We have lovely restaurants on the waterfront. The castle has an amazing history. And I do believe we have good shops on offer here. I want to open a shoe shop here too. I want to stop this belief that people need to go to Cardiff or Cribbs Causeway to shop.
“To realise that I think Chepstow needs to be fully pedestrianised. It needs to be more cosmopolitan. We need a face to the project, and the high street can be that welcoming face.
“I think we need to encourage people with new ideas for businesses and we need to support them to thrive.”
Yvonne Havard has served on the town council since 1974, and says the challenges facing businesses on the town’s high street are now as difficult as she’s ever seen. She doesn’t think the local authority has done enough to support them.
“For a very long time it was bustling here,” Cllr Havard, who has twice been mayor of Chepstow, said.
“Everyone knew each other, everyone knew everyone, and I knew them even more,” she laughed. “Since the start of the lockdowns that has gone, we’ve lost that, and I’m very upset about it.”
She explained she visits neighbouring Monmouth and Abergavenny and said signs of the pandemic have “almost completely disappeared there”.
“But not here - those sheds are an abomination,” she said, referring to the parklets brought in to help prop up hospitality businesses through Covid.
“The voice of the people was never heard,” she said. “The people were never consulted. If they’ve got a masterplan to get us out of this I’d very much like to see it.”
Some locals say the high street closure is partly to blame for the worsening congestion at Hardwick Hill that runs through the town - which remains one of the most polluted roads in Wales.
When the road is so blocked up to High Beech roundabout at rush hour, motorists often used the high street as a relief road, but now that option has gone.
It’s left navigating Chepstow “exhausting”, Cllr Havard said.
“It can take three-quarters of an hour to get into the town now and people won’t go because they can travel elsewhere and park more easily.”
Some have called for clearer signage along the high street so they know who can and can’t drive up there.
“People don’t know what is going on and until they make up their minds then I can’t see a bright future,” Cllr Havard said.
“I’m a blue badge holder and I’m allowed to drive up the high street, yet when we drive up there we’ve had people shout abuse at us.”
Shopper Gary Grant says he doesn’t feel plans for a “cafe culture” in the town have yet been realised.
“I’ve come in because of Specsavers and we do a weekly shop in Tesco,” he said.
“I wouldn’t come here to have a coffee under normal circumstances. I hope that can change.
“I hope the businesses can get the support too.”
“There has to be a resolve to get this sorted, a plan of action,” Cllr Havard added.
“And there has to be an incentive for shops that are a little bit different, because there is a niche here where people will come and buy good quality products.
“Rents and business rates are going to be extremely high going into the coming financial year and businesses won’t survive if they can’t get the footfall.”
A Monmouthshire council spokeswoman said: “Monmouthshire council recently conducted a public consultation on the future of Chepstow High Street. The results will be shared with consultants Arup who are undertaking traffic modelling on the options for High Street as part of their brief to increase active travel in Chepstow.
“There will be further public consultation on these proposals in the summer.
“The redesigned crossing at Beaufort Square fully complied with Welsh Government criteria to provide a safe civilised space where cars have less priority.
“The decision was made to add a zebra crossing in response to strong community feedback seeking a more formal crossing arrangement.
“Chepstow is a beautiful town with so much to offer - including so many places for a delicious lunch or coffee and cake.
“Everyone should pay a visit to Chepstow Castle, Chepstow Museum or enjoy a long walk.
“Chepstow walking festival takes place from April 20 to 24 and features a number of guided walks along sections of the Wales Coast Path to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this route.
“You can join a town trail around Chepstow with local expert Tim Ryan who shares his passion for the Severn Princess ferry - currently undergoing restoration. 2022 is also the 10th anniversary of Chepstow becoming an accredited Walkers are Welcome town.”