A FLINTSHIRE town is ‘bucking the national trend’ following a bumper festive trading period, a business expert has said.

The Leader reported last year how Mold businesses called on members of the public to shop local and support high street traders.

Joanna Douglass, Mold Town Council’s business and regeneration officer, echoed the call and has now told the Leader she’s very pleased with the results.

She explained: “Contrary to some national retail reports, Mold has experienced good trade over Christmas, with some retailers reporting their best ever Christmas trading.

“Mold’s high street is certainly bucking the national trend and this is unsurprising given the fantastic range of independent shops we have here together with the acclaimed street market and wonderful venues to both eat and drink.

The Leader:

Joanna Douglass, business and regeneration officer for Mold Town Council

“Our local independent businesses and shops here in Mold offer fantastic personalised customer service together with unique goods and services.

“Beginning with the huge success of the Mold festive market on December 1 we also had a great response to Small Business Saturday.

“Small Business Saturday is national campaign to support our local small businesses in the run up to Christmas but importantly all year round, it serves as a reminder of the impact of shopping locally has to the local economy here.

“According to totallylocally.org if every adult in the UK spent just £5 week in their local shops and businesses instead of big firms or online, it would be worth £16.8 billion going directly back into our towns.”

Mold Town Council is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Great British High Street awards.

The town has been shortlisted for these awards and is now in the running to be to be crowned ‘Rising Star High Street of the year’.

Additionally, Mold Markets are up for the ‘Britain’s Favourite Market’ award and the winner will also be announced shortly.

Mrs Douglass said: “Being in the running for two awards really does demonstrate what a great town we have and we are very grateful to the support of our businesses and community.

“The previous year’s winners have all reported increased footfall and trading as a result.

“Over the festive period we commissioned video footage, highlighting our range of events in Mold and this will be used to promote future events and attract further footfall into the town.

“I am encouraged that Welsh Government have extended the High Street rate relief scheme for 2020-21 providing support for businesses in Wales and in recognition of the importance of our High Streets.

“Overwhelming research is that the consumer still wants the physical shop on the High Street and the experience economy is key.

“Mold has welcomed a number of new businesses into the town and this also demonstrates confidence in the town as well as creating new local employment opportunities.”

Mrs Douglass said while Mold has a much lower than average percentage of empty shops, some key units are currently empty and she continues to work with agents and landlords to find suitable new tenants.

“I am encouraged by the number of enquires received and hopeful that these units will be occupied in the near future,” she added.

“In partnership with UK Small Business Network we are looking at options for pop-up shops which will provide a fantastic opportunity and platform for new business starts in Mold.

“In response to feedback from some retailers and in partnership with Flintshire County Council we are running a series of retail courses building upon the success of the social media course run last year.

“Any businesses wanting further details on the courses please contact me on business@moldtowncouncil.org.uk.”