‘Ghost town’ fears as store set to close
ABERDARE town centre “still has plenty to offer” despite fears it’s turning into a “ghost town” following the closure of Poundstretcher, it has been claimed.
It comes after it was announced the large discount store on Cardiff Street will close on September 3, with many calling it a sign the town has been “forgotten”.
Poundstretcher sells a huge range of items from food and drink to gardening equipment.
Many people on social media have said the latest closure, which puts eight jobs at risk, leaves the town in a sorry state but Rhondda Cynon Taf council is adamant the town centre is doing well.
And it comes after a number of other recent town centre closures including banks – HSBC closed last year and NatWest is set to close next month.
Commenting on Facebook, Allyson Harding said: “Aberdare is the forgotten town while Merthyr is thriving you can’t blame people going to Merthyr because they can’t get what they want in Aberdare.”
Leighton Baller added: “Aberdare is on the verge of becoming a ghost town. It’s sad when I see Merthyr Tydfil growing and expanding with retail parks, attractions, cinemas etc.
“What does Aberdare have? Yet another barber shop and more double yellow lines.
“People are reluctant to come to Aberdare because it’s impossible to park cheaply and close to the town centre. Rest in Peace Aberdare.”
Paula Paxford said: “Aberdare was always known as queen of the valleys. Now it’s more like valley of the lost queen.”
Maureen Griffiths wrote: “It’s getting like a ghost town with all the shops closing in Aberdare. I never seen anything like it.
“Poundstretcher is the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Responding to the news of the store’s closure, a Rhondda Cynon Taf spokesman said: “It is well known that high streets across the country face a number of challenges in the digital age and this is why the council remains firmly committed to supporting our traders through a range of events, initiatives and investments – all of which are aimed at bringing people and business into our town centres.
“Since investing £8m to regenerate Aberdare – which included town centre improvements such as the redevelopment of Library Square and improvements to key properties such as the New Market Tavern, Aberdare Constitutional Club and the Old Town Hall and other commercial premises – the council has continued to support town centre traders to successfully access grants whilst a number of businesses also benefit from support provided by the Welsh Government in the form of rate relief.
“Over the last 18 months, on top of annual events such as Aberdare Festival, the council has attracted thousands of people into the town through high profile events such as the Tour of Britain and Armed Forces Day.”
He also said after feedback from traders, the council had reduced parking charges, while also including other incentives such as free public access wi-fi
He added: “The decision taken by Poundstretcher should not detract from the fact that Aberdare town centre still has plenty to offer.”
Giving her reaction to the closure, Assembly Member Vikki Howells said: “I will be sorry to see the loss of Poundstretcher from the high street in Aberdare, where the store has been a familiar presence for a considerable number of years.
“My first thoughts are for the staff who have loyally served the company, and I would urge Poundstretcher’s management to do all it can for their workforce.
“Whilst it will be disappointing to see this prime retail space empty, Aberdare still has over 150 independent businesses including a thriving cafe scene and many smaller retailers.
“All create jobs, keep local money within the local economy and it is important to remember many of the stores sell similar goods to Poundstretcher for similar prices.”
Ms Howells said she had recently held a meeting with the Aberdare Chamber of Trade and Member of Parliament Ann Clwyd, to talk about how they could create an environment “that best supports local stores”.
She added: “If we want our town centres to thrive, it is important we use them and I would encourage all residents to support their local high streets.”
Ms Clwyd MP said she was “very disappointed” at the news.
She added: “Given this economic climate, it is important for people to have the option of purchasing goods at knockdown prices, and it is a shame that people’s options have been narrowed.
“On top of the proposed closure of the job centre in Mountain Ash and some of the banks in the constituency, the loss of further jobs is a blow to the community.”
A Poundstretcher spokesman said: “The current lease on our premises in Aberdare comes to an end shortly and as we’ve been unable to agree suitable terms for its renewal unfortunately the store will be closing on September 3.
“We are currently consulting with the eight members who work for us in Aberdare to see whether there are any opportunities for them to relocate to other stores.”