24 January 2007

Things are certainly moving in town!

Already this year we see things starting to improve in Caernarfon.

1. Pay a visit to Victoria Dock to see how magnificent the new complex is. If you haven't been there for a while you will be amazed by the sheer size of this project which should not only compliment 'Galeri' but should also bring in more business to the town. Established business owners and hoteliers should be buzzing with anticipation of the complex. On top of the extra business this will generate, the complex will also create much needed employment for the area.

2. At long last work has started on the Rochelle's building on Bridge Street, this shop has been a blot on one of the town's busiest streets for many years, but now at long last we see progress being made.

3. Work is also being carried out at the old Plas Bowman building, which has been derelict for years.

4. The old Ddraig Goch building is also being renovated and is in a prime location in town.

5. We will soon be reporting on both the Goleuad building and the St Helens Road area with extensive improvements promised at both sites.

Caernarfon Online can now confirm that a works cabin and generator have been installed at the old Segontium site in preparation for the building of Caernarfon's 'state of the art' Courthouse.

All this can only be regarded as good news for the town,
(Unless of course we get the usual moaners complaining about this that and the other. What will it be this time? The colour of the generator perhaps?)

Before and after shot - remember you saw it here first!

In the past Caernarfon has been guilty of leaving things stand/rot for years, with moaners holding up projects by objecting to this that and the other. Look what we had in the past and what we have now. Buildings like...

1. Yr Hwylfan:- Christ Church stood rotting for years and now? Well now we have one of the largest and most successful  fun centres in the country.

2. Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald's old building on Castle Square was made unsafe by a fire in the early 80's and remained derelict until Coleg Menai built a fantasic new college there. Result? One of the finest further education complexes in North Wales.

3. The old furniture shop next door to Coleg Menai stood empty for years, then along came Paradox (K2) and Cofi Rock, the success of these two businesses has helped put some life back into our town.

3. The Goleuad Building has been empty for umpteen years and now plans are to have it re-designed as a state of the art film studio.

4. 'The Nelson' burnt down for the second time many moons ago, this site stayed derelict for years, Today we have one of the largest stores in town which is also a successful local business selling furniture on the site and next door we have two well known clothes retailers as well as a popular frozen food store. Having these businesses in town brings in much needed work to an area where employment is scarce.

If one or two of the smaller businesses are worried about what is happening in town, then they certainly shouldn't be.

If they are providing the town with a good and needed service then they will not only survive but they will also prosper as the town grows. As the town grows then so will our economy. Competition as we all know is healthy and it will be good for both them and the town. Caernarfon needs to be looking to the future and not live in the past.

We should now be looking forward to the 'Dawn of a New Era' and not 'Dawn of the Dead' - long may it last!