Stalwarts staying in business
We look at firms bucking the trend
LLANELLI town centre, like many high streets up and down the country, is facing a tough time.
Many point the finger at online shopping and outof-town retail parks, with more and more independent and big-name traders struggling to survive. In Llanelli, the likes of Marks & Spencer, Vision Express and Tesco all made the decision to leave the town centre.
Other high street names have shut up shop completely.
While many have disappeared, some businesses in the town centre have fought for their survival.
Women’s clothing store, Mossies, in Llanelli Market, has just celebrated its 25th anniversary of trading in the town centre.
For the first 21 years the store was based in nearby John Street before owner Melanie Jenkins made the decision to relocate to the market.
“It’s very hard work and you have to understand your customers,” she said.
“You’ve got to move with the times as there’s always something different so you see where you need to make changes.
“It was quiet in John Street and we needed more footfall and this unit in the market was more convenient.”
She explained that her loyal customers who have visited the shop over the years are the reason Mossies has been able to survive in the town centre.
“It’s been a hard time in Llanelli for a couple of years,” she added.
“My loyal customers and regular customers keep me open. We’ve been celebrating our 25th year and we’ve been having a glass of prosecco and they’ve brought me cards.
“Without my customers I wouldn’t be open.”
Also based in the Market Precinct, Something for Everyone has been trading for more than 40 years.
The shop started out as a wallpaper and paint outlet but over the years has diversified into selling everything from cookware and books to gifts and general hardware.
Owner Barrie Lewis said that the increase in online shopping has played a part in the decline in trade.
He said: “It has declined over the years with the numbers of people passing through.
“I think the internet has got a part to play. I can appreciate the convenience of not having to leave your computer chair and then you get it delivered but the personal touch is missing.
“It’s a difficult job to keep and Llanelli has changed dramatically from being a once vibrant, industrial town and is heading towards being a sleepy village.”
Mr Lewis believes that recent proposals to de-pedestrianise Stepney Street would increase footfall in the centre of town.
He added: “Unfortunately, the urban area of Llanelli, alongside every other urban area in the UK, has suffered from the expansion of out-of-town developments that have extended car parking facilities.
“Shoppers are what we need in Llanelli.”
Family-run menswear shop Solid Gold opened its doors 40 years ago in what used to be the Central Precinct before it was demolished to make way for the St Elli Centre.
After relocating to the Market Precinct for 16 years, father and son Steve and Ben Geach have been trading from Stepney Precinct since 2010. They put their success down to their high-quality products and have recently expanded into offering formal wear and a tailoring service.
“We are pretty fortunate to have been in business in Llanelli for 40 years,” said Ben.
“My dad always loved menswear and was involved in fashion and as his son I followed the trend. I enjoy the sales and giving advice and working with my father.
“We get a lot of regular business in Llanelli. We’re not the cheapest but we’re good quality so people are willing to travel.
“We are now doing a lot more weddings and we offer tailoring too.”
Mr Geach believes that part of the shop’s success comes down to being able to offer a personal touch to its customers.
Much like other traders, he agreed that the internet has changed the way shoppers spend their money, as he said that most customers prefer to buy more expensive items in store rather than online.
“When we opened there were lots of menswear stores around but the internet has slowed it down,” he added.
“The internet has changed the way people buy. In the 1990s people would pop in for a T-shirt or jeans but not any more. People come in for multiple items now.
“Out-of-town shopping centres are an issue but they are everywhere, even in major cities.
“It’s a bit more of a community vibe in Llanelli, it’s quite close knit.
“There’s enough in Llanelli to get your teeth into.”
Parvez Akhtar has also managed to buck the trend in the town centre, with three stalls and a shop under his belt in Llanelli.
The owner of women’s clothing shop Mamselle, on Stepney Street, and market stall P Fashions, Mr Akhtar has been trading in the town for decades.
He’s even branched out and opened shops in Neath and Morriston.
He said: “We had the stall in the market then there was a shop going too. Where Asda is in the shopping centre, we used to have a shop there.
“It is a thriving business, working very, very well. The products we are selling are the same over the years.
“The most important thing that has changed is that in the olden days shops would be closed on a Sunday.
“I think the shops should be open from 9am until 5pm from Monday to Friday and then closed on a Sunday so people have a limited time to spend their money.
“I think they should have Sunday out as a break. I think businesses could improve with this.”
Alan Seward is a thirdgeneration greengrocer in the market, with his family previously having a stall in the old market before moving to their current spot in 1970.
He said their ability to beat others in terms of quality and service is what has kept them going for so many years.
“We’ve got loyal customers who become more like friends who have a chat when they’re passing through,” he said.
“We’ve got a variety of things that people want and it’s all fresh. We can beat anyone on quality and service.
“All of our produce is local where available and when it’s in season.”
Mr Seward said that actually getting people into the market has been the biggest challenge throughout the years as he said that parking is the town’s main issue.
“Since Trostre came, you can drive there and just jump out,” he added.
“Everyone is so busy these days.
“Getting people in here [the market] is the challenge. The town centre has gone quieter over the years. You’ve got everything in the market and everyone selling here knows their product.
“People forget about the market.”