We're out of recession but are you in the mood to celebrate?
Welsh economy 'out of recession', says today's headline.
Whilst that's good news, the cuts have gone so deep BBC Wales' Nick Servini reckons no one's in any mood to celebrate as "this recession has changed the industrial map of Wales".
He's not wrong. Since May 2008 north east Wales has lost in the region of 3,400 jobs [tag: jobs].
Industrial estates across Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, have seen the closures of factory premises:
- Indesit, Kinmel Park - 302 jobs
- Arquest, Greenfield Business Park - 85 jobs
- Marshalls, Llay Works - 55 jobs
The face of the High Street in towns and villages has been changed with post office closures, pubs and the loss of some big names like Woolworths and MFI in Wrexham to name just a few.
Established local and family businesses have been hit hard too:
- JT Vernons, Holt
- Dee Jays of Rhyl
- Seventh Heaven Beds of Chirk
- Ffrith Leisure on Ffrith Festival Gardens
On the upside, there are signs of success, with the Financial Times' House & Homes having lots of good things to say about Llangollen and Chirk - plus:
- Property prices on the up in Wrexham
- Third new hotel planned for Rhyl
- Hawarden Farm Shop reinvents itself
If you've any good news to confirm things are on the up - do tell us!
[Thanks to Karen Oliver for the use of this photo. Plus, view her photo study of Wrexham]
