Newtown town centre named 10th worst in the UK

Newtown has been ranked tenth in the UK for having the worst high street by a retail real estate consultancy.

In total, six Welsh towns were named in the top 10 list. No Welsh towns appeared in the top 10 best towns.

A 'Vitality Index' published this week placed Newtown tenth. Girvan in South Ayrshire was number one, while Chepstow in South Wales was ranked third; Cardigan, Ceredigion, fourth; Tonypandy, South Wales, sixth; Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, seventh; and Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, eighth.

The index is published every two years by Harper Dennis Hobbs. It bases its index on shop vacancy rates; the proportion of upmarket shops; the proportion of value-led shops; and the proportion of low-quality shops, including bookmakers.

Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire was named the top best high street.

It comes as numerous shops have closed in the Newtown over recent years, including during the covid-19 pandemic.

The index also comes as Powys County Council begins a consultation from Monday into the future of Newtown town centre and others throughout the county.

It will look at how temporary social distancing measures could be made more permanent to create greater space for shoppers and visitors.

Caption: Newtown town centre before social distancing measures were implemented