A town hailed as having Britain’s best high street has lost a battle to block its first chain store opening.
Residents of picturesque Crickhowell in mid-Wales are proud of the fact they only have independent shops.
Six years ago, they won a battle to prevent Tesco opening a branch.
In 2018, Crickhowell was crowned overall winner of the Great British High Street Awards, which the Mirror is supporting.
But its latest fight suffered a blow after the Co-op got planning permission for a shop near the high street.
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However, residents claim access to the site, across private land, could prevent the project from going ahead.
Bakery owner Eden Phillips warned the decision would impact the town dramatically.
He added: “I think it’s going to affect all the independent retailers who have been fighting through this pandemic.
“It’s a bit of a shame but hopefully all our loyal customers will stay.”
Chloe Masefield, owner of Natural Way health food store, said the community has campaigned hard to stop the Co-op coming to Crickhowell, near Brecon Beacons National Park,
She added: “People in the town feel strongly about supporting the independent nature of Crickhowell.
“It’s one of the reasons we chose to come here. For that to be ignored by chains is just disappointing.”
The proposed Co-op is set to fill a building used by the former Conservative Club.
Fay Jones, Tory MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: “As they return to work and shoppers come back to the high street, now is not the right time for these businesses to face additional pressures.”
The Mirror has long championed local communities and shopkeepers as part of our High Street Fightback campaign.
The Co-op said its first stores were set up in Wales in the 1800s, run by locals for their community.
It added: “We still operate to the same ethical values of these founders. We’re proud to be launching a store in Crickhowell.”
