Caldicot Bucking The Trend Post Co-Vid
Caldicot Town Centre has been one of the few town centres in South Wales to have a full compliment of leased retail units in the town, bucking the trend since the pandemic. New shops are due to open in 2022 and Caldicot Town Team are pleased to help support these new ventures as they open.
During and since the pandemic started in 2020, tens of thousands of retail units have become vacant in towns and cities across the UK, causing major concern for existing retailers as footfall drops and online buying increased. However, Caldicot has been one of the few town centres in the area to buck this trend, with a full compliment of retail units in the town bringing the current vacant rate down to 0%.
This is in stark contrast to a report issued this week by South Wales Argus who have claimed in a report according to research institute the Centre for Cities. Newport has the biggest vacancy rate in the UK where 1 in 3 properties are empty, although this has been contested by Newport Council.
Units currently under refurbishment or new leases includes 33 Newport Road, which will soon be opening as a new cafe/restaurant called Full Board Restaurant. We have spoken with new owner Paulina Twarog who is excited to be opening her new property in Caldicot and hopes to welcome customers very soon.
Next door to the new eatery Clean & Fresh is expanding their premises to take over what used to be Sweets, Treats and Party, A welcome investment for a local independent business, Haulwen Smith, Owner of Clean & Fresh is looking forward to the expansion and is hopeful for the future of the business.
A new mobile phone shop will be opening later this season called Phone Converters. The company buy and sell mobile phones, tablets and other tech and will be a welcome addition to the retail offering in the town centre. Caldicot Town Team have approached the owner for more details on expected opening times and dates.
“I am delighted that the vacancy rate in Caldicot town centre has now fallen to zero and we have a fully occupied precinct for the first time in years.”
“This bodes really well for the economic success of the town and it’s potential in providing jobs for local people and being a place where people want to spend time.”
“I would like to thank the Town Team for their major role in the town’s success over recent years and as a council we look forward to continuing to work with the Town Team, the Town Council and local residents to continue to invest in Caldicot and make the town an even better place to live and work.”
Richard John – Leader of Monmouthshire County Council
One of the properties that have been empty since 2014 is also being refurbished to bring back into use, Caldicot Town Team will be reopening their Caldicot Goes Pop! premises later this month. The unit is currently being adapted to provide a more open plan retail area downstairs and will provide a meeting room upstairs which can be hired by community groups, local organisations and businesses.
