I'm pleased to have had so many responses to my last piece. In general, many have expressed agreement with many of the points I made but I also respect the views of those who didn't. I don't pretend for a moment that Denbigh high street will miraculously transmogrify in to a bustling retail centre overnight because it almost certainly won't.
What I am saying is that the present state of affairs represents far more of an opportunity than many people seem to appreciate. I understand that some people working in the public sector will seek alternative employment within the public sector elsewhere when the proposed mergers actually take place. That is up to them and will doubtless be dictated by their existing financial outgoings. But given that all Welsh councils are to be subjected to these cuts, they will presumably have to commute to England to find similar employment - if indeed similar employment is on offer. Whatever our political views of the cuts, the cuts are going to happen and those working in the public sector will be faced with some tough choices. I am merely suggesting that some of those people might forego the prospect of expensive commuting hours in favour of a lifestyle change and choose to stay more local. It will almost certainly mean a cut in their income but will paradoxically result in a better quality of life.
Also, it is difficult to gauge the effect on the local economy of the existing council employees in Denbigh and neighbouring Ruthin. One thing is patently clear. Both sites are housed very close to the two supermarkets who have done so much to exacerbate the prospects of the local high streets. It would be entirely logical and reasonable to assume that the real winners with respect to the current numbers of council employees are Tesco and Morrisons - but I would gladly stand corrected.
Citing the plight of the high streets of Denbigh and Ruthin is not nostalgic per se. I see the argument in more pragmatic terms. Why would I want to spend the money on petrol or diesel to go to Broughton (or wherever) or pay a delivery charge for internet shopping if the same item is available locally? I am the first to concede that not all items are available locally but concentrate on those items that are. I would rather pay a little over the odds on the paper for an item which is the same price as the internet or Broughton in real terms. At least that way, I am supporting my local economy with a local person in a local job. I can't see what's wrong with that. It just makes sense because I live here and want the best town possible on my front door step. If more people saw it in these terms, we would gradually see an end to vacant retail units on our high streets. The chances of an item being unavailable locally would become less and less likely and we would live in a thriving economic area. It's just possible that this would also impact on house prices too! Even if it didn't impact on house prices, it would do something far more important; it would give the next generation more reason to stay local rather than pursuing their careers over the border. Given that the size of the public sector is only going to get smaller as the shock waves of the global recession are still being felt, it makes sense to start preparing for that eventuality now. It is not nostalgic to aspire to eat produce which has been reared or grown within the locality either. I'd far sooner eat an apple or carrot or a lamb chop from the Vale of Clwyd for so many reasons. For one thing, growing or rearing it would have sustained local employment. In addition, it would not have had to travel half way around the world to get to my house. It would also take us back to eating produce in season rather than year round because Tesco says we can. If that sounds old fashioned, it probably is now - and more's the pity.
I certainly advocate the emergence of local independent business. With no share holders to pay, independent retailers are frequently very competitive when compared with their multi-national cousins. That is why I'd far sooner see a local independent move in to the former Woolworths site than a national player such as Home Bargains or B and M. The natural site for either of the latter would surely be the site of the former Kwik Save.
Finally, the town centre revolution needed to breathe fire back in to towns like Ruthin and Denbigh has to be achieved with minimal or no council involvement. The purpose of this or any council is to augment local communities. Theirs is not to lead. That is the role of the local community. There must come a point when we begin to realise the absolute limitations of State control be it national or local. Only then will we finally rediscover our old community spirit.
We pay our money and we take our choice as the old saying goes. Never has this been more pertinent for the people of Denbigh and Ruthin. We all have a choice. It is up to us which decision we make but we need to remember the consequences if we choose not to support. As Rob Parkes said in his response, "If people make the effort to open shops in the town we either use them or lose them..... that is the fact of the matter, harsh but true".
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