DENBIGH needs more positive action and less negative talk, say traders disappointed at comments by the town's mayor. Last week Cllr Raymond Bartley called for a meeting with business groups, Denbighshire county councillors and officers, and politicians Chris Ruane MP and Ann Jones AM to look at solutions to the problem of businesses leaving Denbigh. He called it "a crisis situation". But this is a negative approach, believes Llandyrnog community councillor Mark Young. "It is frustrating that negativity against the town of Denbigh is being created by our local mayor, and local town council," says Cllr Young. "I would have thought that they would know better. If we keep talking our town down they will be responsible for its downfall. "I visited Denbigh on Saturday and shopped in both new and established businesses and at the first shop, Images, the helpful staff inform me that they are so busy they could cope with two deliveries a week - their stock is moving so fast. "Walking out of the shop onto my next visit, I was again struck by a town surrounded by beautiful hills, and wonderful old buildings. I felt proud of how good Denbigh was looking. "The second shop, The Patchwork Cat, was a delight. This shop was bright, fun and welcoming, another shop which is booming and has exceeded all expectations. "Everyone needs to be very careful with this negative attitude. If we want new business and investment in Denbigh we are not going to get it with such comments. Funding is done on risk and when a town is described as critical this does not help. "People are elected to make a difference - what we need to see from these people are some new, ideas, answers and positive ways forward for Denbigh. Denbigh needs more positive action and less negative talk." TESSA Carpenter has worked in retail all her working life including for big companies Twinings and Clarks and is proprietor of The Patchwork Cat, a High Street shop set up 14 months ago selling children's clothing, toys, shoes, games, books, giftware and silver jewellery. "Business is good," she says. "I've got a good supportive customer base who come back time and again from Ruthin, Llandudno and Bala and they tell their friends how nice Denbigh is and we get a lot of people coming to town especially." "People have so many preconceptions, we've got some excellent shops, people should explore their local shops and see what we do sell. "I do all my Christmas shopping in Denbigh - I don't go anywhere else. You get more unusual shops than many market towns in the South East of England I've worked in. "People need to open their eyes and see what's here. "We've got a brilliant butcher, bakery and greengrocer, everything you need. The future of Denbigh is good quality shops selling unusual things, making the public aware and being positive." Call for a more positive outlook A MEETING has been called to look at tackling Denbigh's empty shops problem, and a county councillor has also urged positivity. At Denbigh Town Council's Monday meeting it was revealed that its meeting with Denbigh county councillors, the author-ity's regeneration officer Gareth Evans and members of Denbigh Town Business Group to discuss the problem of empty shops would be on August 10. "We should strike while the iron's hot," mayor Raymond Bartley told members. "Please be here so we can put our views to the county council and everyone can see if they can help. It's a very serious matter and hopefully this meeting will start the ball rolling to regenerating the town." Town and county councillor Colin Hughes said: "On the positive side there were three coaches in town yesterday bringing people to the castle, we have got positive things in town. "It's too easy for us to talk down and be negative about the situation. It's a question of whether your glass is half empty or half full so let's be positive. We're right to acknowledge there are problems but look at them positively together and look at solving them." | 
