A High Street is the heart and soul of any community but sadly many are deserted and, instead of food producers and interesting independent shops, are now full of pound or charity shops. At best you can expect a high street filled with chain stores; clones of many others around the country.
However, there are exceptions and Rising Stars, part of the Government’s Great British High Street Awards, celebrates places that are striving to revive, adapt and diversify: places committed to staying relevant.
The 12 finalists, picked from 151 entries from throughout Britain competing to be judged the rising star of 2018 tomorrow, include three from Wales. Narberth is Pembrokeshire, Cardigan in Ceredigion and Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.
A high street with plenty of independent shops is always high on the wish list of house hunters looking to move to a new area and, according to a research analyst for Savills, “The performance of a high street can often be a good pointer to a town’s affluence and appeal as a place to live”.
Certainly here at West Wales Property Finders we are getting more and more clients asking to centre their property searches within easy reach of either Narberth, Cardigan and Llandeilo; a similar bustling town in Carmarthenshire.
“The thriving market town of Narberth, Pembrokeshire is a delight. It’s main street, with multicoloured period buildings housing long-established traders, has a focus on crafts, antiques and food, with oodles of fruit and veg, artisan ice-cream and the deli and tapas bar Ultracomida. To build on this local entrepreneurs have bought an abandoned school and plan to create more independent shops”.
Narberth has superb community spirit and a plethora of events take place throughout the year catering for all ages; from the Carnival to the famous annual food festival, the plant fair, the Help for Heroes Grand Cake Sale, weekly producers’ market, to lectures, concerts and exhibitions at the Queens Hall which bring people into the town.
“In Ceredigion Cardigan’s 12th-century castle has been restored at a cost of £12m. Now the town centre is being digitally transformed with an app highlighting heritage sites and a digital discount card in shops and eateries”.
Cardigan too has a variety of independent shops. There’s a tempting traditional sweetshop, local craft co-operatives, sports and activities retailers, local produce in the cafes, as well as the 150 year old Cardigan Guildhall Market which houses a café specialising in local produce and a wide range of goods, services, arts and crafts. Again events attract people into the town from the wonderful spectacle of the Barley Saturday when Welsh stallions are paraded through the streets, to a busy schedule of plays, films, concerts and comedy on at The Theatre Mwldan.
The full list of the 12 contenders for the crown of Great British High Street are:
Town Average Property Price
Armagh £117,869
Ayr £155,0911
Barnes £1,488,000
Cardigan £169,318
Cowbridge £394,299
Larne £123,503
Lisburn £158,690
Narberth £157,147
Newport-in-Tay £189,817
Northwich £192,428
Prestwich £155,038
Todmorden £134,784
If you are looking to move to Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire or Cerdigion, or purchase a property here, give West Wales Property Finders a call on 01834 862816. We can find your dream home for you whilst saving you time, stress and often money. http://www.westwalespropertyfinders.co.uk
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/great-british-high-street-awards-home-reveals-the-12-shortlisted-rising-star-locations-mtmwpqxb7 – The Sunday Times 16th September 2018
