Places to shop and do business

Places around Wales rely on different industries for employment. Some have one primary employer, a sector such as tourism or perhaps an anchor institution such as a regional hospital or university, while others will have a wider range of employers. Agriculture and forestry are important employment activities in more rural areas while industry, manufacturing and service sectors may dominate in larger places.

Think about the types of employment in your area and where these are located. Try to find out who and where the biggest employers. How do people travel to work, and do people commute into or out of your area? With the growth of working from home, explore whether there are facilities and services to support remote working and ‘start-up’ business such as co-working spaces, shared offices and fast broadband.

Questions to consider

  • Where are different types of shops, cafes and restaurants located? Do independent shops or larger chain stores dominate? 

  • Does your place have strong branding? What is its web presence like? 

  • Are there independent shops or larger chain stores? 

  • How many people visit your town at different times of day?

  • Are there many empty shop units in your town?

  • Is there demand for space for new businesses? Is there support for new businesses?