Cardigan's High Street Faces Economic Challenges
Three years ago, The Times newspaper named Cardigan one of the prettiest places for Christmas shopping, highlighting its success in defying the decline seen in many high streets. However, local business owners now describe trading conditions as the "toughest" and "quietest" they have experienced in the historic market town known for its "independent vibe."
The town, located in Ceredigion, is largely composed of small, independent businesses. Shops, cafes, and restaurants report that rising operational costs and a decrease in customer footfall are making it increasingly difficult to sustain their businesses.
One shop owner recounted a day with takings as low as £4, while an artist recently closed his high street gallery due to business rates pressures.
Many residents across Wales have contacted BBC Your Voice ahead of the Senedd election expressing concerns about the economic situation, particularly the impact of rising costs and prices on their livelihoods.
Tourism Season and Parking Concerns
Upon visiting Cardigan during the Easter holidays, the official start of the tourism season, the town appeared busy. However, concerns about parking costs were more prominent than election-related discussions ahead of the upcoming polling day.
After several attempts, parking was secured at a £4 minimum charge for two hours, which some consider expensive for a rural town. While parking fees are set by the local council, there is potential for the issue to become a Senedd matter if it negatively affects the local economy and high street vitality, prompting calls for government intervention.
Ceredigion council explained that the parking charge increase, implemented last summer, was intended to simplify fees and help balance the authority's budget.
Voices from Local Businesses
Dafydd Davies is a third generation butcher at Dewi James a'i Gwmni, which has stood on the high street for 60 years.
He says "a big splash of fame" highlighting how the area was mainly made up of independent shops had drawn people to Cardigan.
But now people have "tightened their belts" when it comes to spending with the ongoing cost of living crisis, he says, and also that parking is a "real problem" in the town.
On wider issues, Davies said: "There's not enough being done to help secure and support the food industry in Wales.
"I think helping with rateable value for buildings and more needs to be done for training in our line of work like apprenticeships."
The company employs up to 18 staff between its sites, he adds.
"Staffing costs are going up again this month - more money going back into government pockets rather than helping independent businesses.
"Attracting younger people into the trade and apprenticeships would really help, but not enough training is given before they come to work at a butchers.
"I'm starting from scratch with apprentices in this sector, unlike electricians where they have grounding at college for at least a year."
Karen Jones, an employee at the local café Food for Thought, described the current period as the quietest she has experienced in her four years working in Cardigan.
"I think a lot of it is down to car parking charges and visitors are going elsewhere, but businesses are struggling and we are trying to maintain a really good independent high street here," she said.
"It's just getting harder and harder and the next government need to address that issue.
"There are a lot of progressive business owners here but we don't get the support we need."
Promise Fulstow, a shop assistant at the gift shop U Melt Me, emphasized the town’s reliance on tourism.
"Locals in the area don't have as much disposable income as the tourists, so we are reliant on the tourism trade," she said.
"Locals don't go out and spend money on drinks and meals or at gifts shops like this.
"Footfall has been down in past few months but it is now getting busier with tourists with the Easter holidays."
Political Context and Business Rate Concerns
The newly created Ceredigion Penfro constituency merges the former Ceredigion Preseli and Mid and South Pembrokeshire UK Parliamentary constituencies. It is also the seat where Wales' First Minister, Eluned Morgan, will stand in the upcoming Senedd election.
Regardless of whether she remains First Minister after 7 May, local business owners urge attention to the issue of business rates in Wales.
Paul Hoare, who closed the Bank Gallery in Cardigan last week after five years of operation, cited business rates as a key factor in his decision to relocate to Morocco.
"Lower business rates is what the next government need to do, that's reason I had to close my gallery," said the 69-year-old.
"£9,400 a year I paid in business rates on the gallery, and with the rising energy bills, I just couldn't sell enough art pieces to keep the doors open.
"It was disappointing to close the doors because I worked hard to keep it going for five years."
Efforts to Sustain Local Businesses
Others in the area are taking measures to remain operational despite the challenges. Philip Petersen, who took over the Prep Shop, an army surplus store, also works a second job at a café to support his business.
"It is quiet, one day I took £4," he said.
"To reflect how bad it is in the town, a charity shop had to shut in Cardigan - that should indicate that things are going down hill fast here.
"People are just buying food, paying rent, mortgages, fuel for the car and that's their expenditure.
"People don't have spare cash for hobbies, which this shop caters for."
Sam Selby and his wife took over the Saddlers Arms pub six months ago, located in the middle of the high street. They remain optimistic about the future.
He has reduced the price of some pints to £2.85 from Monday to Thursday to attract customers.
"Me and my wife always wanted to run this pub because we met here eight years ago," he said.
"Trade this week has picked up over Easter but the increase in minimum wage has impacted us because we don't pay ourselves anymore. But that's something we have to take on because the cost of living has gone up considerably.
"But it's a quirky old pub, and that draws people in too."
Senedd Election Candidate Nominations
The deadline for Senedd election candidate nominations is 9 April. A full list of candidates for all constituencies will be available on the website.
