Leader readers have their say on Wrexham city status bid

Councillors in Wrexham have agreed to look into making a city status bid next year.

Towns across the UK are being given the chance to apply for city status in 2022 to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

And Wrexham Council's executive board believe they are in with a good chance due to Wrexham being the largest town in North Wales.

If the city status bid goes ahead, this would be the fourth time Wrexham has bid for this, with the last one happening in 2012.

City of Culture bid

Councillors in Wrexham have also given the green light to the town's bid for City of Culture status for 2025.

Council leader, Cllr Mark Pritchard said that the bid for City of Culture and the potential bid for city status had received the backing of Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton and Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes, along with Ken Skates MS and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

He added that the council would now work with key stakeholders to explore the benefits to Wrexham of putting in a city status bid.

'State of the town'

Our article on the potential bid submission attracted many comments from readers, with the majority speaking out against the plans.

Over on our Facebook page, Ursula Richards got straight to the point, commenting: "Naa, don't think so - the state of the town."

Meanwhile, Facebook user Jeffers Tom said: "Make them pay out of their own pockets.

"If they think I’m paying more council tax they can go and jump.

"We had the biggest rise again this year. I’m sick of this council."

Val Stokes said: "We sat and looked around the town yesterday. Market stall owners can't be earning a living. There's hardly anyone around.

"It's sad after having such a vibrant market town and shops to match."

'Market town'

Fellow Facebook user Andy Videoman said he thought Wrexham should remain a market town.

He added: "It went downhill a long time ago. Those high up the council ladder should explain why Wrexham should have city status and explain how they are going to revamp and brighten the town."

Stephen Duncan then replied, saying: "Moving a lot of stores to Eagles Meadow didn't help either!"

Geraint Jones opted for a row of confused emojis and a sad emoji, saying: "Pointless, we failed when Wrexham was thriving."

'What a joke'

Karen Jones added: "What a joke. We have many empty shops and parts of town look uncared for.

"The council need to concentrate on getting new business opportunities up and running before we become a city."

And Emily Celestine Gresham said: "If you want a city of culture, you have to invest in it.

"Unfortunately it is brutal Tory cuts that have dragged this town into the gutter."

More investment needed

Kelly Hopkins said she thought the council was listening to the views of the people of Wrexham and then doing the opposite.

She added that the council should focus on bringing more people and investment into the town.

Meanwhile, Ed Webster commented: "As usual, many councillors not asking the people who they represent.

"Before proceeding, they should poll the people, even an online one would show there's little support for this waste of money."

Tracey Evans added: "I was in town yesterday for the first time in a very long time and, after seeing posts and pictures on Facebook about new bars and a couple of shops opened, I was quite hopeful but, oh dear, I was saddened to see it in such a state.

"Yes, there were a few new shops and bars but there were more empty than open and it all looked so dirty!"

Nicola Thomas said: "I've never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life. Wrexham has got no shops.

"We are a market town, not a city."

And Neal Begg added: "Like most politicians these days, Wrexham's local representatives appear to be totally out of sync with the wishes of the public they supposedly represent."

'Daft idea'

Janine Blaze opted for a face palm emoji to accompany her comment: "Again it will be turned down as usual. Waste of time. They should concentrate on building the town back up to what it once was rather than daft ideas like this."

Simon Hall said: "Sorry, but the leader says he hears it loud and clear?

"Not seen one post on any of the social media debates in support of city status.

"Just to make it loud and clear, as a Wrexham business I do not support this bid, just like many other business owners I know."

Tommy Da added: "Why?! I agree 100% we should be talking our town up, but, not into a city!

"Very very few people want Wrexham to be a city.

"We have a beautiful history being a market town, let’s focus on that!"

'All for it'

Over on the Leader Live website, reader Steve Ryan said: "I'm all for it. Whilst it is simply a change of status, and does not affect council tax etc, clever councils like Preston etc have used city status to attract investment.

"Agreed we do not yet have a forward-looking dynamic council, but there are elections coming up and it's time we had a real change on Wrexham council, but that means people getting involved and enabling that change."

Meanwhile, a reader with the handle 'Verite' said: "This is madness, pure and simple. It's like a nightmarish Monty Python sketch."

And another reader, 'Ghostthatwalks' said: "So it seems everybody and their grandmother is now coming out of the woodwork to support this council's decision, but what I would like to know is who in the council is pushing this forward and I would also like to see published by this council a list of our elected representatives who are in support of the bid (never happen I know but one can only hope).

"And we get the drum once again being banged about Wrexham, the largest town in North Wales, with it deserving better recognition blah b***dy blah and who gives a c**p, just drive around the area trying to dodge all the potholes.

"At the end of the day it's all about cost, not to satisfy someone's over-inflated ego in the Guildhall."