Llan Co-op to be facelifted this autumn

* The Co-op in Regent Street is due to be upgraded this autumn. 

A major facelift of the Co-op store in Llangollen will be carried out this autumn.

That is the word from a spokesman for the food store chain which has just announced details of a big expansion plan.

This will see the Co-op open 20 new stores across Wales over the next 18 months, including Prestatyn and Rhos-on-Sea.

The group says it will also be revamping six of its existing stores in North Wales, including Llangollen, Denbigh and Llandudno Junction.

Asked by llanblogger for further details of what is planned for the local store in Regent Street, a Co-op spokesman said: “It is a little too early to confirm further detail, it is scheduled for major investment this autumn - enabling the store to better serve its community.

“We expect the works to be carried out by mid-October.”

The move has been welcomed by Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who said: “I am delighted that the Co-op has announced that they will be investing in the Llangollen store on Regent Street.

“When Aldi and Home Bargains opened in the town a year ago, many thought that it would lead to the closure of the Co-op.

“New investment in the store indicates the confidence that the company has in giving the Co-op a future in Llangollen.

“Many customers who rely on the Co-op for their shopping would have found it difficult to travel to alternative shops in Llangollen. 

Tina Mitchell, Co-op’s managing director for Wales, recently told the Daily Post: “Since our troubles a few years ago we have reconnected with our customers.

“We have focused on what we do well and also innovated.

“We have focused on being local and on being relevant to customers.

“The shops have got better, our service has got better and we have worked with more local suppliers and our offer is better.

“Co-op now work with hundreds of local suppliers in Wales and they provide 500 products for stores – we are very proud of that.”

She added: “Convenience and online have been the growth areas and we have been well placed to take advantage of that.

“While some supermarkets have tried to make this part of their offer, providing convenience stores in people’s communities is what we are all about.

“The gap in prices (to supermarkets) has narrowed. We have invested £50m in prices to make many items cheaper. While it is not all about price, we have invested here to remain competitive.”

On the future plans in North Wales, she said: “The brand has always resonated in Wales and Co-op is looking at areas where we think people are under-serviced – this is a big opportunity for us.

“We want to open 20 new stores in Wales over the next 18 months.

“This will see seven or eight in the second half of 2018 and 12 or 13 in 2019. This will create a lot of local jobs in North Wales.

“We are also looking ahead and can see future potential in Wales for the considerable future. This will not end at the end of 2019.”

Consultants probe town's traffic problems

Consultants have carried out traffic surveys around Llangollen town centre to get a better idea about congestion and traffic flow through the town.

Arcadis (Consulting) is currently looking at traffic issues in the area with financial support from Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Government, the European Union Rural Development Fund, Denbighshire County Council, Llangollen Town Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

* The leaflet for Tuesday's drop-in session.

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms said that on Friday and Saturday Arcadis carried out a survey at three major junctions - Castle Street/Abbey Road, Castle Street/A5 Regent Street and Market Street/A5 Berwyn Road.   

He added: “The video evidence will be analysed by Arcadis using computer modelling to help them to better understand the issues with congestion and traffic flow through the town.

“We're expecting a further consultation in the late summer on the ideas that Arcadis put forward. A final report will be produced for the end of September 2018.”

He went on: “The Llangollen 2020 working group wants to ensure that everyone can take part before the planning phase begins.

“Arcadis are in the process of speaking to residents, businesses and visitors before they start to draw up their suggestions to make the town better for all.

“There will be a drop-in session from 3pm until 7pm on Tuesday July 17 in Llangollen Town Hall. 

“The event will give the opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions on problems in the centre of the town and how they might be improved.”

Musical journeys on offer at the Fringe

* Fringe entertainment at Llangollen Station.

This year’s Llangollen Fringe Festival offers musical journeys on both the town's steam railway and the famous Pontycysyllte Aqueduct Canal. 

On Sunday July 22 you can enjoy a fun-filled 10 miles travelling through the Dee Valley with live disco music on the steam train, a dancing carriage, and a fully licensed bar on board.

There will be a BBQ and live music before heading off from Llangollen station and a special surprise on arrival in Carrog before travelling back to Llangollen.

You’re invited to don your best disco gear and dance the afternoon away. 

Keep the good vibes going after the disco train when you pop on your headphones and dance noiselessly to your choice of two live DJ’s or some chill music  at a specially organised ‘silent’ disco in Llangollen Town Hall.

On Saturday July 28 there's a chance to cruise along the canal and over the aqueduct with musical accompaniment from The Sinatra Two.

Sit back, sing and swing along and enjoy the cruise with a complimentary glass of wine, and a fully licensed bar on board.

Your journey will take you between Llangollen and Froncysyllte via Telford’s Pontcysyllte aqueduct on a narrowboat, and the journey is made complete by a transfer between Froncysyllte basin and Llangollen on a vintage bus. 

Due to popular demand, there will be two departure times for the narrowboat cruise - 5.45pm - departing from Llangollen Wharf, and returning by vintage bus from Trevor Basin, and 7.30pm – departing on our glamorous vintage bus from Parade Street, Llangollen. 

Tickets for the Disco Train and the Narrowboat Cruise are on sale now at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk 

Also at the fringe: LEE SCRATCH PERRY, ELIZA CARTHY AND THE WAYWARD BAND, CRAIG CHARLES, MARK RADCLIFFE’s GALLEON BLAST, LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS, LINTON KWESI JOHNSON, LLOYD LANGFORD.  Plus the return of BAND FOR A DAY, the music themed STEAM TRAIN and AQUEDUCT BOAT trips, and many other fringe events.

The festival rounds off with its now legendary closing concert in the stunning surrounds of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY featuring the ethereal sound of GOLDEN FABLE and THE NEW SINFONIA ORCHESTRA.

Tickets for all other Llangollen Fringe performances are also available from the website, or by calling the Fringe box office on 0800 1455 779.

Twenty Club prepares for its next production

The Twenty Club Amateur Players of Llangollen are performing The Flint Street Nativity from November 22-24.

It's an hilarious comedy written by Tim Firth of Calendar Girls fame.

The club are holding pre-audition workshops at Trevor Community Centre on Tuesday July 24, from 7-9pm, and on Sunday July 29, from 3.30-5.30pm.

Rehearsals will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on September 4 at a venue in Llangollen yet to be confirmed.

You will be invited to join the Facebook page once you have expressed an interest, and the production team will keep you updated on the auditions, workshops and casting of the play.

There are seven male and five female characters, all ideally aged 25 – 55.

Director John Clifford said: "The performances promise to be of an excellent standard, as expected from The Twenty Club, but also of great importance, rehearsals and the production should be great fun.

"We are also looking for new members who may be interested in helping with other areas of the production too. Please get in touch."

* For more information about The Flint Street Nativity, click this link https://www.samuelfrench.co.uk/p/11564/the-flint-street-nativity

Not too late to nominate local sporting stars

The deadline is looming for nominations for this year’s Denbighshire Community Sports Awards.

They recognise individuals, teams, schools and clubs for their dedication to local community grass roots sport in the county.

* Winners at a previous county sports awards evening.

To date, 70 individuals or groups have been honoured.  There are also elite level athletes representing Wales and Team GB in their chosen sport from the local area, which will continue to be rewarded.

All of the award finalists will be forwarded to the Sport Wales and BBC Wales sport personality awards held nationally in Cardiff, where Denbighshire will be looking to add to the success of eight finalists and six national winners over the last six years.

Nominees must reside in Denbighshire, or be affiliated to a Denbighshire club relevant to their nomination and achieved their success in the last 12 months up to the application closing date which is Friday July 20.

This year’s categories include sports performer, junior sports performer, coach of the year, team of the year, volunteer of the year, disability sport award, young inspiration award, lifetime achievement award and the Sport in School award.

Nominations can be made online: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/sportsawards

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said:  “The Denbighshire community sport awards has helped recognise and share some amazing stories over the last few years.

“This proves to us that the quality of sport in Denbighshire is very high and that there are plenty of opportunities for people to return to playing sport or to try a new sport as a beginner.

“As a service through our partnership with Alliance Leisure we have continued to invest in our leisure facilities, offering residents a high quality service, and an environment for them to thrive.

Denbighshire Leisure services are also looking for suitable organisations that would like to link to their brand to the community sport awards as a category sponsor and a ‘sponsorship package’ can be sent for more information.

* For more information on the awards please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/sportsawards or contact Sian Bennett, Health and Wellbeing Manager sian.bennett@denbighshire.gov.uk 01824 712710. 

Singers and Musicians Night in Llandegla

For all you football starved supporters, LLandegla All Styles will be offering its own unique penalty shoot out at its

SINGERS AND MUSICIANS NIGHT

MONDAY 16th. JULY at 8pm.

in THE MEMORIAL HALL LLANDEGLA

Admission £1                    Raffle

Come and perform or just listen.  Either way bring your own refreshments.  Tea/Coffee on sale

Council considers byelaw to control use of square

* Terry Waite declares open the new Centenary Square watched by Town Mayor Jon Haddy and Deputy Mayor Issy Richards.

Llangollen Town Council is to look at using a byelaw to protect the new Centenary Square from abuse.

The move follows public outrage over a motorbike being parked in the newly-opened square on Tuesday evening just days after its official opening.

The town council has discovered that the bike was left there by its rider for a short time during the late evening while he checked into a local hotel.

He is said to have been highly apologetic when it was pointed out to him that leaving the machine in the public facility, which contains two war memorials, had led to a storm of protest on social media.

As a result of the incident town council representatives had an urgent meeting with the local policing team this morning (Wednesday).

Afterwards Town Clerk Gareth Thomas said: “We are disappointed that the square was misused in this way.

“The proper use of any new facility takes some time to be established and Centenary Square is no different.

“However, we are considering the use of a byelaw to control the use of the square and this will be enforced with fixed penalty notices.”

He added: “I would like the public to be our eyes and ears. If they see any abuse of the square taking place I would be grateful if they would take details and report it to me.     

“I can be contacted by phone on 01978 861345, or by email at: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk”

The five-year project to create the square came to fruition last Sunday morning when it was officially opened by Terry Waite CBE, president of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

During the course of last week it was used by a steady stream of performers from the eisteddfod, including choral and dance groups from across the world.      

* Byelaws are local laws made by a local council under an enabling power contained in a public general act or a local act requiring something to be done – or not done – in a specified area. They are accompanied by some sanction or penalty for their non-observance.


Byelaws are enforced by the local authority through the magistrates’ court and contravening a byelaw can result in a fine upon successful conviction.