THOUGH the weather did its best to (literally) dampen proceedings, there was still a host of activities for people in Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd to enjoy during the bank holiday weekend last week.
With essentially a four-day weekend to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the British throne, we spoke to some North Wales traders to see what, if anything, they did to recognise the event.
Plus, how did trade fare compared to a typical weekend?
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Two years since the first lockdown: how North Wales traders survived
Michelle Mellor (Harrisons Cafe and Bar, Rhyl; Mickys Professional Catering Company)
I was thinking of closing for the Jubilee as normally shops close and there are no people venturing out down the west end of Rhyl, but after calling in on shops, most were staying open, hoping to gain some vital funds.
So we advertised with Rhyl BID, put bunting up, and helped to sponsor a local event that was arranged over four days at Marine Lake (Jubilee party), hoping that the word of mouth and visibility would encourage new guests into us at Harrisons.
I created a voucher for 10 per cent off your total bill for three days, and pushed the business and food offerings on all social media channels.
I did my fabulous deluxe afternoon tea and meat and cheese platters for guests who were having street parties to collect to help generate revenue, too.
Some of my clients on the community meals also ordered a “Queen’s Lunch”, on top of their daily offerings.
Trade was outstanding on three of the days, with the Sunday generally quieter as people were preparing for going back to school and work and visitors travelling home.
I don’t think the weather helped on Sunday, but a fantastic result all round. Well worth the risk and staying open!
www.facebook.com/Route66atdarbeys
Sara Turner (Green Island Bistro and Delivery – vegan/plant-based food service covering Abergele, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl, Prestatyn, St Asaph and Rhuddlan)
It was a mixed weekend, mainly due to the weather, I think, but we were busy Saturday and Sunday with our jubilee teas.
On Saturday, we also launched our new range of bubble teas from (Llandudno-based company) BubbleNinja, and this did bring in a lot of new customers.
www.facebook.com/greenislanddelivery
Sarah Whittam-Howsam (Sugar Bee Bake Shop, Prestatyn)
We created special bakes at Sugar Bee to sell for the Jubilee - iced sugar cookies and cupcakes.
We also did cookie decorating kits which children could decorate themselves to make their own Jubilee crowns.
On the High Street on Sunday, we had a “Jubilee Rocks” live music event organised by Anton Sampson, and this was very successful despite the weather being a bit of a let down.
The upper High Street was closed to traffic and we were able to set up tables outside our shops for our customers to sit and enjoy the food and drink from the High Street businesses while listening to the live bands, which was very successful and we had a great response from our customers.
This event definitely had a positive impact on our sales.
www.facebook.com/SugarBeeBakeShop
Aber Falls Whisky Distillery, Llanfairfechan
Throughout the half term week, we welcomed guests of all ages. In the shop, we had gin gift packs for £15.
We had a few specials on in the Visitor Centre Café for the Jubilee, including:
• Coronation chicken baguette
• Gin Fizz
• Homemade Victoria sponge
www.facebook.com/aberfallsdistillery
Bobby Sirrah (Bistro Bach, Craig-y-Don)
While we didn’t do anything special to mark the occasion, we did notice an enormous increase in trade last week.
We had our best financial week in our entire eight-year history and we were turning away 200 to 400 people a night.
The last week was kind of like being hit with a tidal wave of people!
Gemma Williams (The Little Cheesemonger, Rhuddlan and Prestatyn)
I created a Jubilee celebration cheese selection that highlighted Great British artisan cheese, because British cheese is steeped in history and produced from our land and agriculture.
At the beginning of the week, we saw an increase in trade, with people planning ahead for what they would be having for their celebrations, and also found that people had visitors or were visiting for the weeks - and the weather was good, which always helps.
Visitors purchased gifts for their hosts, like local gin and ales and, of course, cheese.
As the bank holiday was planned unusually for the Thursday and Friday, we found that, as people were already celebrating, towards the tail end of the week it was a little quieter, but overall I can report a 25 per cent boost in sales over the Jubilee week.
We have footfall counters on the High Street, so it will be interesting to see if we had a surge this quarter.
The Prestatyn Business Forum and Town Council organised a Jubilee celebration on the High Street for the Sunday and it was pedestrianised, starting past Kings’ Avenue and the church, right to the top of the High Street.
(There was) a stage with plenty of entertainment and music, which included a David Bowie tribute act, face painting and characters attending, and the shops decorated their fronts in flags and balloons.
The weather wasn't great, but it didn't dampen the spirits as the local shops pulled together and supported each other by putting out any gazebos they had available for visitors to shelter and enjoy the food and drinks purchased from the shops.
(It was) a great achievement by the town council and business group, who all volunteer to produce these sort of events.
www.facebook.com/LittleCheesemonger
Kevin Rice (West Shore Beach Café, Llandudno)
There were queues outside waiting for us at 10am and that was the picture throughout the weekend - lots of families getting together, it was a lovely atmosphere and lots of laughter and smiling faces, the weather played along for the most part.
Saturday was the busiest day; it felt very much like a typical August summer’s day: lots of ice creams sold and buckets and spades sold as families enjoyed the beach, then back to us for lunch and cakes in the afternoon.
The highlight for me really was the happy atmosphere and seeing our team all working together.
The weekend came to an abrupt halt on Sunday as the weather turned and the crowds disappeared, but overall, it was a great weekend.
Sales were up 15–20 per cent, which was needed after a relatively poor May.
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