News
Wales faces high street crisis with one in six shops empty
WALES’ high streets face an escalating problem, with newly released figures showing that one in six shops are now unoccupied. Data provided by the Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC) indicates that the vacancy rate has surged from 16.5% to 17% in just the second quarter of 2023, making it the second highest rate in the UK.
Andrew RT Davies MS, the Welsh Conservative Leader, voiced his concerns on the matter this week, pinpointing what he thinks are Labour’s shortcomings. “There is a crisis on high streets across Wales and Labour are failing to get a grip of the situation. Despite Wales receiving £1.20 for every £1 spent in England, Labour has been unsuccessful in growing our economy,” he noted. Davies is calling on the Labour Government to reduce the country’s soaring business rates, which stand as the highest in Britain. He also criticised other decisions, such as implementing a blanket 20mph speed limit, a road building prohibition, and the controversial £100m Senedd expansion, terming them as “economy-stifling vanity projects.”
The struggling state of retail in Newport, a city with more empty units than any other in the UK, brings the dire situation into sharp focus. Speaking to the BBC, one trader from 2022 described the melancholy of the situation: “I try to stay positive and plod on but I can sometimes sit all day and have one customer in. It’s lonely sometimes.”
However, Newport City Council counters that some of the vacant shops included in the report were due to “absent or disengaged landlords” and others were part of ongoing or recent developments, like the Newport Market, Market Arcade, and the Chartist Tower development.
Broadening the lens to a UK-wide perspective, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) data shows a decrease in footfall in shops by 1.6% from last August, with a sharper 0.9% drop on high streets. Surprisingly, Scotland was the only region to buck this trend, witnessing a 0.4% rise in footfall. However, Wales’ drop of 1.7% wasn’t as stark as Northern Ireland’s at 4.7%.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, attributed the dip in footfall to a gloomy summer, contrasting with last year’s sunnier weather which saw many shoppers hitting the streets. “This month, shopping centres bore the brunt of the decline, while high streets also suffered,” she remarked.
The WRC’s Sara Jones also echoed concerns, telling the BBC: “Retail plays a crucial role in our economy. Challenges from business rates, fluctuating energy prices, and local issues like antisocial behaviour affecting footfall only add to the problems.”
This grim picture suggests the need for urgent intervention to rejuvenate Wales’ high streets and keep them bustling with business.
Crime
Teenager charged following rape allegation at Saundersfoot nightclub
Incident reported at Sands Nightclub in early hours of Sunday
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating an allegation of rape following an incident reported at Sands Nightclub in Saundersfoot in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).
An 18-year-old man was arrested after officers were called to the venue, which is a popular late-night spot in the seaside village. The allegation relates to events said to have taken place during the early hours of the morning.
Joshua Probert, aged 18, has since been charged with one count of rape. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 18).
The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity under law, and no further details about the allegation can be reported at this stage.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that enquiries are ongoing. Officers are understood to have carried out initial investigative work shortly after the report was made, including speaking to witnesses.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
- Anyone affected by sexual assault or rape can contact the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line, run by Rape Crisis England & Wales, on 0808 500 2222. Calls are free and confidential.
Local Government
Mayor visits Milford Haven Library Christmas event
THE MAYOR of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, paid a visit to Milford Haven Library on Tuesday morning to attend its festive Mince Pie and a Cuppa event.
The event brought together library staff and local residents, with the Mayor thanking staff for their work supporting the community throughout the year. During the visit, Cllr Elliott also spent time speaking with residents who had come along to the event or were visiting the library to borrow books.
Milford Haven Library is part of the Pembrokeshire Libraries service, which provides access to books, information, and community activities across the county.
The Mayor wished residents a Merry Christmas at the close of his visit.
Crime
Milford Haven man jailed after drunken attack on partner and police officers
A MILFORD HAVEN man who launched a violent drunken assault on his partner before attacking two police officers has been jailed for three years and six months.
Alexander Campbell was sentenced on Wednesday (Dec 16) at Swansea Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard that Campbell had been in a relationship with his partner, Miss Cox, for six years. On the night of the offence, he returned home highly intoxicated and became argumentative.

Prosecutor Rieve Nesbitt-Marr told the court that Miss Cox advised Campbell to go upstairs and sleep off the alcohol. Instead, he began poking her and told her not to tell him what to do.
Campbell then launched what Miss Cox described as “a flurry of punches that rained down on her.”
Neighbours contacted police after hearing the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found a smashed bowl on the floor and Miss Cox lying on the sofa under a blanket, covering her face.
Body-worn camera footage played in court showed Campbell threatening officers, telling them: “I will turn this place into a f***ing murder scene.”
As officers attempted to separate the parties, PC Thomas placed her arm out to create distance. Campbell grabbed her wrist with force, an assault captured on body-worn video.
He then attacked PC Jones, climbing on top of him and punching him repeatedly, again recorded on police body-worn footage.
PC Thomas later attended Withybush Hospital, where she received four stitches under local anaesthetic. Miss Cox suffered severe facial bruising, with one eye swollen almost shut.
The court was told that Miss Cox’s ten-year-old daughter was upstairs at the property during the incident.
Campbell has 27 previous offences. In mitigation, the court heard that he accepted alcohol turned him into a different person, telling the court: “I’m an ugly person when I drink. I’m a different person when I’m sober.”
Sentencing Campbell, the judge said he knew better than anyone how alcohol affected him.
“You came home in a bad mood and almost predictively, you assaulted her,” the judge said.
“The noise and aggression was such that the neighbour called the police.”
“You gave her a bruise on her face that can only be described as a large shiner.”
“In short, you have injured three people. Your conduct was utterly pathetic, like an overgrown child.”
The judge also referred to Campbell’s violent history, describing him as a “cowardly bully.”
While acknowledging that Campbell had previously complied well with a suspended sentence after removing his own alcohol tag, the judge said custody was unavoidable.
Campbell was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.
Warning him about his future, the judge added: “If you carry on with this behaviour you will spend a lifetime in prison. The only person who can change this is you.”
The court also granted a restraining order for five years.
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