Colwyn Bay - "ghost town"

Town councillor slams Colwyn Bay Christmas "ghost town"

Published date: 07 January 2014 | 

Published by: Mike Williams 
Read more articles by Mike Williams Email reporter

COLWYN Bay almost became a “ghost town” over the Christmas period, a town councillor has said. 

The town has been lamented for lying virtually empty during the busy festive while neighbouring shopping centres were “buzzing” with shoppers. 

Frustrated Colwyn Bay town councillor for the Rhos Ward, Sibani Roy, said: “After many years I have spent Christmas holidays in Colwyn Bay and made good use of my time walking and talking to people. 

“As the town itself was much quieter due to lack of visible Christmas activities as well as bad weather, few people and high street shop owners were bursting to speak out and express their views. 

“One of the issues was, and for obvious reasons, people were disappointed for not having much Christmas engagement to draw people in the town. 

“The town almost became a ghost town on 27, 28 and 30 December, where many other towns and cities in the country were buzzing with bargain shoppers both local and holiday makers.” 

Town Centre Manager Ingrid Lewis said street performers and entertainers were in place throughout the town in the run up to Christmas, and feedback from people in the area had been positive. 

She added: “We had a grant from the town council of £6,000 to provide festive entertainment. 

“That’s on top of the funds the town council already provides for the Christmas lights in Rhos on Sea, Old Colwyn and Colwyn Bay.” 

Entertainment was provided by arts group Safire Illusionists, with street circus acts and puppet performances taking place in the “principal areas” of the town centre. 

Ms Lewis said the Colwyn Bay Celtic Winter Fayre in late November attracted more people to the town, and feedback forms for the festive entertainment in December are still being reviewed. 

She added: “The entertainers were lovely and very well received by people in the town, based on a preliminary analysis of the forms. 

“We do what we can with what we have. We spread it as far as we can.”