Original by Owen Hughes, Daily Post - https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llandudno-high-street-list-those-14660672
The Retail Resilience Index was not good reading for the seaside resort - but has been attacked locally
A report that claims Llandudno high street is one of the worst performing in the UK has been criticised by town leaders.
The Cushman & Wakefield Retail Resilience Index ranks the viability and performance of 250 high streets outside Central London.
The UK High Streets: Dead or Alive? report is based on 22 factors including retailer demand, leisure spend, rental change and tourism spending.
It placed Llandudno in the bottom 10 across Britain - among towns like Newport, Rotherham and Kilmarnock - that are “struggling for survival”.
But with void rates among the lowest in Wales and tourism booming the report has been dismissed by Edward Hiller, chief executive of Llandudno landowner Mostyn Estates.
He said the percentage of empty stores now stood at 5.25% - compared to an average vacancy rate in Wales of over 14%.
He said: “We have filled up since 2008. I’m sure that is the wrong way round for a ‘basket case’, and there cannot be many towns around the country that can demonstrate this.
“The researchers, need to stop staring at a screen, get in a car to discover a dose of reality (and sea air) in our beautiful town!”
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders also defended the town
She said: “These findings are hugely disappointing, and certainly do not reflect the hard work and dedication our shopkeepers, business owners and staff put into our bustling high street on a daily basis.
“Llandudno has a proud tradition of maintaining a busy high street – particularly during the height of our main tourism season – and this report does not accurately reflect that.
“What it does show, and this is also reflected in conversations I have held with local business owners, is that more support is need from the Welsh Labour Government for our high streets.
“The impact of business rate hikes has been huge for some, and the Welsh Government needs to ensure that a proper package of support and relief is in place for our high streets – as the Conservative-led UK Government has done.
“We must strive to protect and maintain vibrant high streets – promoting free parking and improved access so that businesses can fully compete with out-of-town retail parks, and the online economy.”
The only other North Wales town included on the list of 250 locations is Wrexham which was in position 237.