Crickhowell- old and new

The gentrification of Crickhowell, my old hometown, a former scruffy market town on the Welsh borders continues to amaze me on each re-visit.


There are no empty shops here.
Instead the streets are packed with Range Rovers, SUVs, estate agents, upmarket boutiques, cafes ,pedigree dogs wearing fancy coats and dominated by two family businesses Nicholls, and Webb’s affectionally known as Webbies. Both were former general stores and ironmongers.

Now Nicholls has reinvented itself as a
“Country lifestyle store” and Webb’s specialises in expensive furniture and household goods.


What’s the secret?
At a time when every town of this size is festooned with “shops closed” signs one must ask the inevitable question: what has Crickhowell got that other towns haven’t?

Yes it is set in a very beautiful part of the country, yes it is a haven for second-homers, commuters and weekenders but more importantly this town is still a close-knit community who made a decision to exclude chain stores though they do have a small Spa shop and a Boots.

Crickhowell offers a country lifestyle and you need deep pockets to buy into it.