CALLS have been made for urgent intervention in Porth town centre following the announcement of the closure of a major clothing store.
New Look will close on February 22 and the Porth and District Chamber of Trade has written to the chancellor, the local MP and MS, the Welsh Government, the UK Government’s levelling up department, the Department for Business and Trade and Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council to highlight the challenges facing Porth’s high street following the announcement.
It said the closure of the Hannah Street store will leave the town without a national clothing retailer and will significantly reduce footfall, impacting independent businesses across the town.
The chamber of trade, established in 1882, said each letter stresses the need for urgent intervention to prevent further decline in Porth and calls for:
- a high street task force to focus on small-town regeneration
- ring-fenced funding for towns like Porth to ensure fair investment
- business rate reform to relieve financial pressures on retailers
- infrastructure improvements to make the town more accessible and appealing
- greater financial support to help businesses affected by the cost-of-living crisis
- levelling the playing field between online retailers and high street businesses to ensure physical stores can compete more fairly.
Porth and District Chamber of Trade said: “New Look’s decision to close its Porth branch was based on the chancellor’s budget and the lease end date, rather than the location or the town itself.
“This highlights the financial pressures facing national retailers, but also reinforces the need for urgent action to support independent businesses that remain.
“We acknowledge that the closure of New Look will have a significant impact on Porth’s high street.
“While this decision was made as part of the retailer’s national restructuring, it leaves Porth without a clothing retailer and adds to the wider challenges facing independent businesses.
“We have reached out to key decision-makers at both UK and Welsh Government levels to push for direct action to support Porth and ensure the town is not left behind.
“The Porth and District Chamber of Trade will continue to advocate for investment, fairer business policies, financial relief measures, and a level playing field for high street businesses to help safeguard the town’s high street.”
A New Look spokesperson said: “Our store in Porth is set close on February 22.
“We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.
“We hope customers continue to shop with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found.”