The Shopping Arcade That No Longer Plays

Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.

I had to go to Bridgend Town this morning. Unexpectedly as it happens. And as I was walking towards the Rhiw shopping centre I stopped at the Nolton Arcade, a place that contained a small selection of mainly specialised shops.

I say contained because aside from the two shops that are linked to Nolton Street every single space in this arcade is now vacant.

The Entrance To Empty

Some of those shops I remember. A toy and costume shop that we bought some dresses for our daughter in her junior school pantomime. I remember a mouse one once....so with more fear does the wife. There was a cafe and a knitting shop.

All now gone.

Memories Are The Only Thing It Has

Now of course there may be many differing reasons why these shops closed down. But the fact that no one has started new shops here suggests this is linked with the general decline of the town, the problems of the indoor market, and the move of Bridgend Town Centre library away from the Town Centre. And that places the blame on the Labour controlled council and the Labour Controlled National Assembly which, as I've explained in previous posts, have been seemingly happy to watch the town rot (And was part of the reason that made me join Plaid Cymru).

One more thing. There has been some action in this arcade and it's this.

Christmas decorations where there is no celebration

Somebody, I'm guessing the council but I might be wrong, was crass enough to put decorations in this empty place. As if Christmas gloss changes everything.

Until the next time.