RUTHIN has been rated as one of the best shopping destinations in Wales according to new research.

The Vitality Rankings, compiled by Newmark Retail, use various metrics to rank the shopping facilities on offer in towns and cities across the UK.

In Wales, Prestatyn topped this year’s list for shoppers, followed by Cardiff in second, Monmouth in third, Ruthin in fourth and Blackwood in fifth.

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The Vitality Rankings have been released since 2014.

It analyses factors such as retail unit vacancy rate, the change in vacancy rate, space being adapted for other uses, shopper spending per annum and footfall figures.

James Ebel, vice chairman of Newmark Retail (UK and EMEA), said: “Newmark’s 2024 Vitality Ranking has seen a recovery for many of the retail centres that performed well before the pandemic.

“Since our 2022 ranking, many people have returned to their previous shopping behaviours and general movement patterns, with the ‘new normal’ not looking too dissimilar from the ‘old normal’.

“Whilst footfall might be slightly lower than pre-COVID levels in some major city and town centres due to hybrid working, sales have recently recovered to – or bettered – 2019 values for many tenants trading in these areas.

“Consequentially, many prime retail destinations across the UK have experienced a welcome return to the top positions.

“However, the ‘waves of creative destruction’ that result from periods of economic and social turmoil provide opportunities for new brands and concepts.

“Online brands are taking their first steps onto the high street; successful occupiers are expanding into new territories; and new offers are finding space where it was previously unavailable.”