Prestatyn, a seaside resort town in Wales, has been named among the best shopping destinations in the UK, maintaining a low shop vacancy rate and steady footfall while many other high streets struggle with rising costs and declining footfall. The town combines a retail park with national brands such as Marks and Spencer, Next and Tesco, alongside a bustling, independent-friendly Victorian high street.
Community spirit drives success
Wendy Baxter, who works in The Twisted Tree on Prestatyn high street, told the Express: "We're lucky as we've got the community here that come and support us. They're really good. And then we have the visitors in the holiday time. But the community spirit, I think, here is the main thing. They always come and shop on the high street and they love to use us."
The Twisted Tree, which sells a range of gifts, cards and homeware, opened in 2022 and won third place in the "Best High Street Business" category at the UK Small Business Awards last year. It was also the highest-ranked shop in Wales for that category.
"We're unique as we support Welsh designers, it's all local stuff that we sell," Ms Baxter, 58, adds. "We do a lot of Welsh language gifts as well which I think is important. This also makes it unique for visitors as they get something memorable. We're so busy all year round, it's not just the summer."
Long-standing family businesses
One of the oldest running businesses on Prestatyn High Street is N. Cumberlidge Jewellers. It was opened by Nortman Cumberlidge at the top of the high street in 1955, before moving to its current address lower down on the road in 1966. The business is now run by James Cumberlidge, the third generation of the same family.
"We're a third-generation family-owned business so people trust us," shop worker Beverley Kittle says. "We have a lot of people that have been coming to us for a long time. We have a website, but it's just a shop window. We don't actually sell online. People can browse there and then come to us. They like the face-to-face service and we always stop to have a chat. It goes a long way."
Ms Kittle, 58, has lived in Prestatyn for 41 years and describes it as a "very friendly town". She says the area has faced struggles over the years but believes it is "bucking the trend" for high streets across the UK. Her co-worker Lynda Parry believes their system of having a website as a shop window, rather than a direct selling place, has helped their success.
Visitors travel from afar
The success of Prestatyn High Street has helped attract visitors from far and wide on a regular basis. Geraint Hargreaves, 39, is sitting in Caffeina Coffi, an independent speciality coffee house on the high street, with his daughter and explains how they regularly travel 30 minutes to visit.
"We've come from Denbigh, a little town in north Wales," he explains. "It's around 30 minutes away, but there's nowhere around us that does food like here." The cafe is renowned for its acai bowls, freshly prepared bagels, homemade sweet treats and locally sourced coffee.
"You don't get many high streets like this anymore. Along the coast, all the shops are shut. All you get is charity shops, hairdressers, barbers, phones to be fixed. But you walk around here and there's no shops that are shut. They're all local places, and you know you get quality. The community take pride then and they spend their money. Some days you can't even get a seat in here - it's rammed. You do see some tourists come here. You've got Rhyl down the road but that's not been as blessed as here. They've got it right here."
British-made products and year-round trade
Prestatyn Furniture opened its current shop on High Street in 2023. However, the business has been operating in Prestatyn since 1972 and prides itself on selling British-made home furnishings, ranging from sofas and beds to mattresses and living and dining room furniture. Andy Hughes, who owns the business alongside his wife Alison, says the secret to their success is "customer service and getting the right products in".
"We don't go for stuff that you can get from China. You'll find that 90% of the stuff in here is British made," the 71-year-old adds. "The age group of people that shop in here love that about us. They want British stuff and quality."
Crispy Cod, which sits at the bottom of High Street on the corner with Bridge Road, has been serving locals and tourists for over a decade. "For us, everyone is so respectful and so kind. We have regular customers here," Selim Chetim, who works in the chippy, says. "Even holiday makers might come every year and they always come back to us." The 22-year-old explains how Prestatyn, which has a population of around 19,000 people, thrives all year round.
Syd Gaskin moved to Prestatyn from London when he was seven years old. He now works in a shop across the road from where his mother used to work and would never consider moving away. "It's a nice independent town. There aren't too many chain shops," the 53-year-old explains. "The people support the local businesses. There are a few niche restaurants around and cafes too. They get supported as well."
"When I was younger, my family moved here and I now work across the road from where my mum used to work," he says. "I've travelled around a bit since but I always come back home to Prestatyn."
