Ah? No, sorry Carolyn. Those people i.e the entrepreneurs came in as ordinary citizens - working class people in most cases - and set up businesses, like Titus Phillips for example who opened a post office after being a grocer. They put their whole lives into eking out an existence through their businesses and then developed a civic society in the town, which became the council as the town grew.
Yes the council and lack of foresight has a lot to answer for I agree with you and I agree that Ebbw Vale has had a lot more put into it, but the traders in Abertillery need to be positive and put investment into their own businesses- and I don't mean mega bucks e.g what about a decent sign and make over for a start - rather than wait for the council (not) to do it.
True, they were ordinary citizens prepared to take a risk in a busy thriving town, todays rateable value in terms of council tax is still based on this, which is why Ebbw Vale is much cheaper and businesses leave here and set up in Ebbw Vale or Blaina, The coucil tax was subsidised a few years ago to encourage businesses there but not so in Abertillery. Some shop owners request a three to five year contract, hell of a risk in a dying town.
The entrepreneurs have long since left, the would be's joined the local council a safe and sure wage packet, their own local Labour shop bringing the council to the town did not last long after the election, not a really wize investment for them, maybe they noticed that there was a distinct lack of trade, they even tried opening late some evenings hoping to catch the local revellers out on the town.
I think many of the would be small businesses would manage a decent sign or lick of paint, it is the total disrepair, replaster and provision of heating in winter on some of the shops they obect to unless they were affluent enough to buy the property and gain some return.
Titus Philips was in the grocery business for many years before he opened the post office and in a busy triving town I am sure that he invested wizely, otherwize he would not have been able to afford it. Todays traders are lucky if they can make ends meet due to the lack of trade, a profit to invest is a dream most rely soley on a living wage if they are lucky and if trade drops they still have the rent to pay to the end of their contract unless they can find someone fool enough to take it on.
PS Old Titus did not have to worry about the availibilty of customers parking, no competions from Tesco Asda, and other supermarkets. they had train and adequate bus services in those day too to bring trade into the town, even the odd horse and cart which is better than no transport services at all. _________________ My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more!
I see that work has started on the shops at the top of Church Street no 22 last used by the Labour Party which used to be Marions Dress Shop in the 60's has been totally gutted. I understand that grants for the work have been awarded by the council but the work has to be completed by April or the money will become unavailable. Some traders are having difficulties getting builders to do the work for them in the timescale allowed. _________________ My life is no rehearsal There'll be no curtain call encore, so I've thrown my screwed up script away to ad lib my life once more!
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject: Have they broken a sewerage pipe?
Have the builders broken a sewerage pipe?
I happened to call in at the opticians at the top end of Church St. on Friday morning and there was a distinct `pong` in the air!
The opticians is opposite Hectors cafe should asked him he is usually outside at that time cooking his hot dogs and burgers. I cannot go past there without buying one they are lovely. _________________ When I have finally learned Welsh, my next foreign language will be English.
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