CONCERNS have been raised by independent traders within Wrexham town centre regarding the lack of support they say they receive from the council.

One disgruntled trader, Nina Lindberg, owner of the Swedish shop, Northern Food Home, spoke candidly of her day-to-day struggles with running her business, which she feels could be greatly improved with more support from Wrexham Council.

She said: “I moved my business from Chester to Wrexham due to the cheaper rates in rent.

The Leader:

Butchers Market, Wrexham

“It cost me £2,500 to move all my stock from my Chester store to Wrexham and £5,000 to set up my shop, which quite frankly, doesn’t seem worth it.

“I’ve been open for five months now on Hope Street, and since then, the council have only attended my property three times.

“I’ve received no support whatsoever in promoting my business.

“At the moment, it’s not worth the drive from Chester to open everyday.”

Another stall owner, who has been trading for 16 months, expressed similar dismay at the council, who she believes should be offering more promotional assistance for the majority of smaller businesses within the area.

The Leader:

Outside the Swedish shop, Northern Food Home, which is located on Hope Street in Wrexham

June Edwards, trader at the C Books stall, which is located within the Butchers Market, said: “The council seem to be all Tŷ Pawb.

“They could definitely do more to help us small traders with promotions but they don’t seem to be bothered.”

Belinda James, another trader within the Butchers Market, echoed: “”I’ve been a stall trader within this market for around 17 years now and the stall has been within my family since 1983.

“The council have invested a lot of time and money into Tŷ Pawb and seem to edge towards them when events are held.

“When it comes to promoting this market, the council seem somewhat of a distance to us traders.”

Cllr Terry Evans, lead member for economic performance and regeneration, said: “We are disappointed to hear that traders at the Butchers Market feel they have not received any support from Wrexham Council.

“Officers meet with traders formally every month in order to discuss matters such as promotion, and we advertise markets in a number of forums and publications – including the new Love Wrexham magazine.

“We have updated signage both in and out the market, offered free training in subject such as customer service and social media training, purchasing A-boards, creating a new Wrexham Town Centre Facebook page to promote the markets, installing Wi-Fi and covering the activities of traders in press releases and publicity.

“We also launched a six-month campaign to promote and advertise our town centre and the markets, and have published and distributed materials to support and promote the markets.

“All of the above said, if traders do feel they have any further issues, they are more than welcome to contact our markets team to discuss any issues they may have – we want to make sure they have all of the support available.”