We visit town dubbed best place for shopping in Wales to see what it's really like

A new report has hailed a North Wales town as the top shopping destination in Wales. Prestatyn was applauded by the Vitality Rankings.

They used a range of factors likes the quality of the retail offer, shopper numbers and demographics as well as vacancy rates, with the town also striving for high standards in its presentation and maintenance.

So I visited the town rated so highly to see what shopping there is really like. It was a sunny Spring day and the weather instilled the feel good factor as I hit the shops.

Read more: 'Ghost' North Wales business park that's lain empty for 20 years will be developed

Read more: Lidl gives update on plans for latest North Wales store in 'gateway' location

But as I arrived in Prestatyn shopping park I noticed the warning that it's free to park for three hours but you face a whopping £85 charge if you overstay. Three hours should be plenty but it's something to be aware of.

However it was soon clear that the "good presentation" was true, as two gardeners were busily trimming a giant hedge in the car park. One had brought his pet Pomeranian called "Batface" as his "supervisor", he quipped.

I walked past Boots and JD Sports because I wanted to check out the independent shops. I came across Master Upholsterer David J Jones' workshop where two customers were collecting newly-covered chairs.

John and Linda were clearly delighted with the striped pattern and workmanship. As for Mr Jones he knew about the top marks in the survey. He said Prestatyn is good for shopping because the retail park, where he's based, is an extension of the high street.

Shoppers can buy goods there then pop into the main thoroughfare for a coffee. Indeed that's what I did at the Four Seasons cafe and bistro which is a short walk round the corner.

But some retailers were scornful of the survey's findings. Geoff Lawman runs Presents With A Difference curios, antiques and collectables shop.

Mr Lawman, 78, said footfall has never been so low. There may be a plethora of shops but they're the wrong kind, he insists, and there are too few customers anyway.

He said: "I've been on the high street for 24 years and I've seen it go down. It's such a shame.

"When we lost the banks we lost 40 per cent of our turnover. Last year we lost Home Bargains from the high street." A new Home Bargains has been built but it's a few hundred yards away on the former market site.

"And now we've lost Pontins. There were a mass of people from there coming to the high street but they're not here now. They were not rich people but they still spent money."

He added: "There are too many charity shops, hairdressers, nail bars and cafes on our high street." What's more Mr Lawman said his overheads have risen too.

"My business rates have gone up from £177 a month to £440 a month," he complained bitterly.

However Gemma Williams, who runs The Little Cheesemonger shop opposite Geoff's place, sounded a note of optimism.

"We have definitely noticed fewer people (since Pontins closed). We always got a lot of people who were on holiday who have time to mooch about the shops."

But she hopes tourists will choose local caravan parks instead then visit the high street if the weather is good. "The high street is very eclectic with lots of independent shops," she added.

As for presentation, Prestatyn looked good. There were floral displays by the Friends of Prestatyn Station on the railway platforms.

And little spikes on archways at the station's entrance seemed to be doing their job deterring birds and their muck.

Nearby a crew were laying bricks in a pavement on the high street and there was a daffodil display by Gwynt y Mor windfarm operators.

So while there is cause to celebrate Prestatyn's broad range of outlets and characterful high street, there is clearly room for improvement. It may be top in Wales but its overall UK ranking was 134 in the Vitality league table created by Newmark’s Consultancy & Analytics team each year. That was up on its ranking of 143 in 2022.

North Wales Live has launched a WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone