More than 16,000 people visited Caerphilly last weekend for the annual Christmas market.
Caerphilly Christmas Market ran with the theme Christmas past and Christmas present on December 13 and 14.
In the town centre stalls sold a variety of modern crafts and gifts, from treats such as cakes and sweets, to decorations, jewellery and more.
In Caerphilly Castle a Victorian market was held, giving visitors a traditional festive experience.
Councillor Ken James said: “The Christmas market here in Caerphilly is one of the highlights of our festive events calendar. Such a variety of stalls and support for our local town centres really encourages some good old fashioned Christmas spirit.”
The annual lantern parade will take place today, December 18, from Caerphilly Railway Station when hundreds of colourful lanterns will be carried through the streets.
Given that 125,000 people shop in the Castle shopping centre at the bottom of town every month I suppose its a respectable number for the failing top of town economy, But, Caerphilly Council really do have to get a grip of serious issues in and around the to of toqwn if they are serious about making it `a pleasant shopping experience` just ask the traders!
Just how much ratepayers money was used allow imigrant tradersto affect a `raid` on the potential income of local traders?
It is not the council’s fault for the top of town failing. Our shopping habits are changing. The carpark by Morissons’ provides parking for all of the shops in close proximity to each other but at the top of town there is no car park.
High street shopping is declining all over the country because it is inconvenient. With the rise of shopping centres and companies like Amazon there is no need to go to the high street. Why would I choose to go to the top of town, struggle to find parking, walk in the rain, worry about the busy road and still spend more time taking on and off my coat, when I could go to Cardiff, park indoors where there is free parking, and be dry and warm at all times? There are also more shops, more restaurants and nicer vibe. Internet shopping is self-explanatory. Within 18 hours I can order what I need and have it in my hands without ever leaving my house who wouldn’t want that?
The best thing for the top of town is controlled closure to turn everything into houses or offices. Hopefully political pressure can turn that part of Caerphilly into an enterprise zone.
The problem is that too many people are simply too bone idol to walk further than a few yards to the shop or bank, too many people want to park their car as close as possible to the place they wish to use. It is this lazy mentally that needs to change, when did it creep into our lifestyles. It is a pleasant walk from the bottom end of Morrisons car park all the way past the castle right up to the train station, maybe if folk used their legs a little more Wales wouldn’t have the obesity problems that it has.
Is it a pleasant walk?
When I have done the walk in the past I have noticed dirty streets, litter, noise, and smelly fumes from cars. If it is raining, windy, or cold the walk is even worse. Have you tried walking up the hill during ice? You are constantly slipping backwards.
Besides, walking around St David’s and all of the other shops in Cardiff is a longer walk. By going to the big shopping malls people have a nicer walk, in the warm, for longer periods of time. Let us encourage people to choose those large malls.