Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard this month announced that he was in the process of a “big move” after taking on a period property down in Bath. The TV star is well known in the area and had been living in a cottage in Conwy town, a property he will be keeping.
The move comes just over a year after his Conwy store closed. He had opened the antiques emporium on the High Street in 2017.
You are watching: Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard and what happened when he closed his antiques store
The shop was welcomed by local businesses – with Drew attracting Salvage Hunters fans to the area. He had initially looked at plans to expand due to its success but by May 2022 had decided it was time to close up.
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While it was a blow to Conwy the positive news was that restaurant chain Dylan’s quickly snapped up the unit. In the summer of 2022 they opened a Baked Goods and General Store – filling up the space where Drew’s antiques had once stood. This month this was followed with their fourth restaurant site at the location – with the brand filling all three floors of the building.
North Wales Live has spoken to local business and property owners about whether losing Drew has impacted the town or if Dylan’s has been an ample, or not superior, replacement.
Businessman Nigel Roberts said: “As much as Drew Pritchard’s shop was a prestigious unit on the high street it was not one that the majority of shoppers would actually spend in the shop whereby Dylan’s has a much broader appeal to shoppers who will spend their money in town. I think the important point thing is there is not a substantial and prominent unit on the high street being empty and there is wide retail and hospitality offering in this already busy unique attractive town for both residents and visitors alike.”
Julie Mills, who owns Vinomondo wine store and bar on the high street, said: “I think there was quite a big impact initially. We had several customers every day that had come to see Drew’s shop.
“We still have people asking where it is or saying they came to go to the shop and didn’t know it was closed. He was a great asset to the town and I’ll miss him being around.
“Dylan’s is a totally different venture and probably not one that people will travel the length and breadth of the country to frequent. That said it’s a decent addition to the town and I’m sure they will do well.”
Butcher Ieuan Edwards, who runs the successful Edwards of Conwy, with its showcase store opposite the former Salvage Hunter’s emporium, said: “Two great businesses – one in and one out! Both of equal importance to the town.
“We welcome Dylan’s and wish them every success. As a company we have been privileged to have worked with Dylan’s for many years and look forward to continuing this relationship.”
The general consensus is that while Drew was a big draw for the town it is also such a unique historic place that it will always attract visitors and Dylan’s has more than filled the gap.
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Source: https://antiquewolrd.com
Categories: Antique News
