Queen's Jubilee: Wrexham becomes Wales' seventh city

Dating back to the early 1300s, St Giles' Church is right in the centre of Wrexham

Wrexham has become Wales' seventh city to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

In all, eight towns were given the new title - at least one in each UK nation, plus others on the Isle of Man and the Falkland Islands.

It is now the third city in north Wales after Bangor, Gwynedd and St Asaph, Denbighshire.

However, there have been mixed views, with Plaid Cymru and Labour expressing concerns over the cost.

For some, however, becoming a city has been a long-standing ambition - it was the fourth bid after failed attempts in 2000, 2002 and 2012.

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Wrexham county has a population of 135,000, with about 61,600 in the town.

It is home to Glyndwr University, Unesco World Heritage site Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wrexham Lager and Wrexham Football Club, established in 1864 and among the oldest professional football clubs in the world.

Rob McElhenney has helped put Wrexham on the map

Its Hollywood owner, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney, said about the bid last year, it "sounded like something you'd obviously want to support".

The industry group Wrexham Business Professionals described it as a "no-brainer" and "one of the best things to have happened to Wrexham for a long time".

Senior member and local businessman Ian Edwards said: "Even before the pandemic and the consequences of the pandemic we've always thought that being a city would give Wrexham a lot of kudos and would provide a massive economic benefit for the whole of North Wales.

"During the pandemic some businesses in Wrexham have done well but others - notably in leisure, tourism and hospitality - have really suffered and we really have to get back on our feet economically."

What are Wales' cities?

• Bangor in Gwynedd is Wales' oldest city - unique outside England in using the title by ancient prescriptive right

• St Davids, Pembrokeshire, with a population of just 1,600 was made a city in the 16th Century because of its cathedral - however, this status was revoked in 1888. At the request of the Queen, it was granted again in 1994

• Cardiff has promoted itself as the youngest capital city in Europe - given the title in 1905, it became Wales' capital in 1955

• In 1969, Swansea was granted city status to mark Prince Charles's investiture as the Prince of Wales

• Newport became a city in 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee

• With a population of 3,500, St Asaph was awarded city status in 2012 in recognition of its cathedral

Meaningless label?

There was a lukewarm reaction to Wrexham's success from some politicians with Plaid Cymru's Carrie Harper saying "it was a vanity project and a meaningless label" which "reflects a basic lack of democracy", and Labour MS Lesley Griffiths saying there were "mixed views".

Ms Harper, a councillor for the Queensway ward, said: "Many residents will be upset by this news and feel the decision is yet another example of the council not listening to local people.

"It reflects a basic lack of democracy, with the decision to put in the bid having been made by just 10 members of the Tory/Independent coalition running the council and no genuine local consultation. Many will feel this has been pushed on them against their will.

"With the cost-of-living crisis already being felt by hundreds of families in Wrexham, the council leadership now needs to be honest about how much this will cost the public purse.

Glyndwr University's Elen Mai Nefydd said becoming a city would be a catalyst for development

Lesley Griffiths, the Labour MS for the area, said there were "mixed" views among constituents and she had not been "closely involved" in the process.

"I think it's a real opportunity now, for Wrexham council to grasp any opportunities that come from having city status, and make sure they really show that it was worthwhile pursuing," she said.

"What I think is really important is that the concerns the constituents did have, that the council makes sure they address those.

"So for instance, I'm not saying these are correct, but that people feel that it will cost a lot of money for Wrexham to be a city. I think it's really important to show that what matters to Wrexham is grasping those opportunities."

Dr Sara Louise Wheeler believed city status would be an opportunity for people

Leader of the council's independent group Mark Pritchard called it "fantastic news for Wrexham and we're going to celebrate".

"I do understand the negativity, but this is an opportunity to take Wrexham forward," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"What we're competing with is businesses. And a lot of businesses won't invest in towns, they invest in cities.

"North Wales has been left behind in the past and dominated by south Wales, but now we can sit down and get companies to invest in us."

Saith Seren chairman, Chris Evans, hoped council tax would not be increased to pay for the city status

Robert Leigh, who lectures in accounting and finance at Wrexham Glyndwr University, agreed, and said it was a "positive thing".

"It's definitely going to help them in the long run," he said. "Research shows that when a town becomes a city, it can have a positive impact on the local economy."

Glyndwr University's Welsh academic development head, Elen Mai Nefydd, said becoming a city would be a catalyst for development.

She said: "It will mean more events in the area and we're hoping that we will be able to lead the way at the uni for our graduates."

Pontcysyllte aqueduct is the highest canal aqueduct in the world

Artist, poet and author, Dr Sara Louise Wheeler, believed city status would bring attention to the area and opportunity for people.

"I hope it will give the city of culture bid a boost and make that connection more obvious," she said.

Chairman of Welsh cultural centre Saith Seren, Chris Evans, agreed with that and said there had been a positive feeling in Wrexham in recent years.

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But he added: "There are worries about council tax being increased to pay for the city status, so the council needs to reassure (people) that won't happen."

Ray Floyd, a Wrexham resident for 50 years, said: "I hope it will attract more things and events here.

"I think Wrexham is a great place, and we are the biggest town in north Wales, and I think it should be called a city."

Wrexham's Racecourse ground is the world's oldest international stadium still in use

Ruth Rees, owner of Martin Rees Jewellers in Wrexham, said: "It took me a while to be convinced at first because of some arguments that were put forward - but I'm really pleased.

"Overall I think this has got to be seen as a positive and something we can build on.

"I don't think people should feel worried that we'll lose our identity as a town, because we'll still always be the Wrexham town that we all know and love."

She said whether a village, town or city, Wrexham was a "unique place".