15/12/2011 BBC Wales Today

Good evening. Tonight, it is late night shopping,

but across the country, we are spending less on the high street.

We find out how people are coping. We are spending less this year. We

are very careful about what we are spending. We have small children,

they do want the expensive gifts, but they are more or where that we

cannot afford everything. A tale of two towns, Narberth and

Tenby, how they are trying to get you spending.

I will find out how the shopkeepers of weathering the storm and what

The other headlines. We are cheating. We are telling you

the cycle. The regulator will tell us off.

An examiner suspended after an undercover investigation tells MPs

his comments were taken out of context.

Rebecca Lee will have to wait for surgery, the operation cancelled

after metal thieves targeted her hospital.

It is not as bad for me, but for people suffering from cancer, it is

disgusting, that they should have to go through it.

So snow on the way over the next 24 hours, with four inches possible on

higher ground. Good evening.

It is one of the busiest times of the year for shoppers and retailers.

For high street up-and-down Wales, the latest figures paint a gloomy

picture. Christmas shoppers are spending more online and less in

the high street. Overall sales have fallen 0.4% across the UK, compared

with last month. Weekly spending online has gone up by more than

�200 million, to nearly 800 million. With sales already under way, the

shops are fighting back. For this couple, money is tight.

With rising fuel costs, they have had to cut down on shopping trips

and they are struggling to buy everything their children have

asked for. They are always asking, can we have staff? We cannot afford

that at the moment. They say, everybody else has! Maybe we can

save up, if they really wanted. They've realised that they have to

look after their pennies. High streets across the country were

busy today. As the retail figures show, many of us are holding out

for the last-minute bargain. Shoppers in Wrexham told me they

are spending less this year. How much less? Hundreds of pounds.

Because of worrying about fuel bills, keeping the home, basically,

and having the children. Normally, you can buy things for the grand

kids, but it is one gift and a few shillings, if they are lucky.

thing the figures show, shopping online is more popular than ever.

This is really interesting, the biggest upward pressure this month,

compared to a year ago, and compared to a month ago, stalls but

because stores that sell over the internet, mail order, but it also

includes market stalls and auction houses. Many stores are offering

discounts, and in some towns and cities, shopping centres are

fighting back in the run-up to the festive season. The centre in

Cardiff told us that in the last week, between 140 and 160 shoppers

had passed through their doors every day. -- 160,000 shoppers.

They are spending �2 million a day, 5% more than last year. The big

shopping centres are facing a challenging time. Last winter was

bad, with the snow, so hopefully, if it stays away, they will be up

from this time last year. But it is very challenging to get consumers

to spend the money they have got. Staff at one company will have more

money in their pockets this Christmas. JCB has given its

workers a 500 pound festive bonus and a pay rise of more than 5%.

makes Christmas a bit easier. If you want to buy a few extra prisons,

you have got the option, it is great. -- extra presence. Plenty of

time still for stores to notch up those last-minute sales. There is

also a feeling that now, more than ever, this is a make-or-break time

of year for many of our shops. From big department stores to the

small independent traders, everybody seems to be finding it

tough. Two high streets have similar -- different stories but a

similar plea. Countdown to Christmas, a

shopkeeper's dream. Streets full of customers, and the money rolling in.

But this Christmas is one of the toughest yet, so how are the

shopkeeper's coping? To find out, I have been to two towns that are

close together, but have very different ideas about how the high

street should block. -- should look. Narberth his boutique chic. You

will not find supermarkets or fast food chains here. It is all about

the Independent stores. They are finding it tough. The whole element

of impulse buyer and has completely gone. People are only buying what

they really need. Sally White is a typical example. Her takings are

down 20% this year. She has had to cut staff and reduce her own salary.

Some Saturdays, we would do �5,000, and we are doing at least half that,

if not less, we are pleased with those figures. 20 years ago,

Narberth looked different. A farming town on its uppers. But

hard work and investment paid off. Businesses were given a huge boost

in 2002, following the foot-and- mouth crisis. Many, like this

Birches, were exempt from business rates, in an attempt to kick-start

the overall economy. -- rural economy. We were planning our money

back into the businesses. I did a massive expansion for five years

ago, we are all still here. good times are over. The town has

seen a huge hike in rates, and although the Welsh Government

offers small businesses some relief, And now we have come to the more

bucket-and-spade, seaside resort, just a few miles down the road,

Tenby. I will find out how the shopkeepers are weathering the

storm and what the politicians can do to help. Tenby has always had

seasonal shops that close overwinter, but not this money.

is like a ghost town, it looks like nobody wants to help. Matthew Owen

is moving his florists to Saundersfoot because the rent and

business rates are much cheaper. �7,000 that we could use elsewhere.

We have been given a lifeline somewhere else, we will take up the

offer and stop there. This shop has been in the family for 109 years.

Now on the fourth generation of owners. They told me that takings

have heart, and only big changes have allowed the shop to stay open.

We have had to make severe changes, the building, we have turned

upstairs into a holiday flat,... decided to work late in the

evenings, which we have never done before in the past. We have open

until 9pm, 10pm, seven days a week. Mark Hall could not make it work.

His computer game shop only lasted nine months. Enough time to work

out how politicians could have helped. Maybe look at offering a

period of lower business rates, provided you sign up for a three-

year lease, or something like that, anything to stop the initial start-

up costs already waned you down before you start. Narberth may be

better cushioned to cope, but both towns told me the hardest challenge

was paying the highest business rates they have ever seen during

the toughest downturn they have Welcome to Eagle's Meadow shopping

centre in Wrexham, plenty of Christmas shoppers, out and about.

But lots of them have told me they are cutting back, spending less. I

have been talking to people working in the shops, they say things are

We have seen a bit in our report about the picture across Wales,

howl of things going here? We are a contrast, we are doing quite well.

My shopping-centre has had seven new tenants this year, and the

stores are either level or up on last year, so we do not seem to be

experiencing the same problems. What do you think about the latest

figures? 0.4% is not very much. Across the hall of retail, it does

not apply to my tenants. We audited figures that are up on last year.

People in the shops say it does not seem as busy as last year.

football figures are about level. We are getting increases in some

figures, and we are getting new shops coming in all the time.

about the town centre? What are things like? We are getting reports

that we are getting more independent trade is doing well.

Some shops might not be doing so well, but a lot of them are

reporting that sales are quite good, and we are managing to keep shops

open, and across Wrexham and Eagle's Meadow, we have less than

the national average in terms of... A vacancy rate, so we are quite

confident. We have heard about problems with business rates, they

are finding it difficult. Yes, there is relief at the moment, and

the concern is for the expectation of the fact that they are going to

go back up again, unless a decision is made that the Welsh government

will step in. What would you say to Isabel? You are an out-of-town

shopping centre, could you be accused... You or not in the town

centre! Que de be accused of taking business away from the centre? --

could you be accused? We work very closely together. It is Wrexham,

this is a part of Wrexham. As far as the report goes, it is great

that retile is coming up the agenda for the politicians -- retail.

Parking was an issue. Yes, in the report, but the council has taken a

good decision, and from October, we have got a car park that is managed

by the County Borough Council, which is free after 12 noon every

day. The councillors have already taken that step to help and support

shoppers and businesses. That is a good example of how closely the

retailers work together. We have a very positive Council, they are

doing a lot to help us. We are having meetings with the council,

discussing how we can improve and make things better. You are

sounding very positive. We will talk to you later. Please do join

later, we will find out how savvy shoppers are boosting the second-

The day's other news. An examiner who was suspended after claims he'd

given secret advice about GCSE and A-level papers says he'd been

unfairly treated. Paul Barnes from the Welsh Joint Education Committee

was facing questions from MPs at Westminster. Here's our Political

Correspondent, Tomos Livingstone. Undercover footage filmed by a

national newspaper. Examiners from the Welsh Joint Education Committee

are discussing exam questions with teachers. You should be grateful.

We have a choice. We are cheating. We are telling you the cycle. The

regulator will tell us off. examiners, Paul Barnes and Paul

Evans, have been suspended. Today MPs on the Education Select

Committee asked them for an explanation. We provide future

guidance and equip teachers with an understanding of the new

specification. My comments were edited and taken out of context.

have been advised not to answer questions on my own position but I

can say this. My reference to the word cheating was an inappropriate

term to use. The two men remain suspended. The WJEC says it's still

waiting to see all the Daily Telegraph's footage before deciding

what to do. But the man in charge says parents and pupils have

nothing to worry about. The system is sound. We see January and June

exams this year and in subsequent years continuing to have a good

reputation. The WJEC is confident its reputation will see it through

the crisis. But politicians on both sides of the border want assurances

that those who mark the papers are only guilty of a poor choice of

words and not something more serious.

Train services are returning to normal between Cardiff and Bridgend

this evening. Delays and diversions continued into the rush hour this

morning after lightning struck signalling equipment yesterday.

The Queen has formally approved and presented the Welsh Seal to the

First Minister Carwyn Jones. Made by the Royal Mint, it's the first

of its kind for hundreds of years and will be placed on each Act of

the Assembly, showing the Queen has given Royal Assent to an Assembly

Bill. Plaid Cymru Assembly Member Leanne

Wood has become the fourth candidate to enter the race for the

leadership of the party. The election is in March. Ms Wood says

she would prioritise policies for the economy. We need to turn around

the Welsh economy and put it at the forefront of our political agenda.

We have been less than clear as a party as to what we mean by

independents. What we wanted for and how we would get there. Now we

see time to change that. A patient whose operation was cancelled after

metal thieves targeted a hospital has described the crime as

appalling. Llandough Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan was forced to

postpone more than 80 operations yesterday after a generator was

damaged. 19-year-old Rebecca Lee was due to undergo knee surgery but

has had the operation postponed. Instead of recovering from surgery,

Rebecca Lee prepares for Christmas. She was due to undergo keyhole

surgery at Llandough yesterday. But it was postponed along with 80

others after metal thieves targeted a generator at the hospital. The

19-year-old student had hoped to have over a week's rest time before

celebrating the festive season with her family. Now it'll take place a

few days before Christmas. An inconvenience for her, but she

feels it's an appalling crime for those who have life threatening

illnesses and have been left waiting. It is stressful enough to

have something they have that. To have the operation cancelled

because of something like a theft, it is not as bad but the people

suffering from cancer, it is disgusting. It is estimated the

cables taken will have a scrap value of just a few hundred pounds.

But to replace them and re-install them will cost in the region of

�30,000. It is not because that is the main concern. It is the prize

patients have had to pay, waiting for surgery full herd of --. And

because of that, in the House of Lords there have been calls for the

UK Government to take action to prevent similar thefts from

happening again. It is not a question of significant funds.

Human lives have been put at risk. Does that not raise the measure of

the issue significantly? A new back-up generator has been

installed and was tested before routine surgery could be resumed.

This morning, all operations were back underway at the hospital.

Rebecca's suffered with knee problems since she was a baby. Her

operation is necessary to avoid permanent ligament damage but this

crime has left her waiting again and counting the days.

Rugby and Wales forward Luke Charteris will be playing abroad

next season. He'll leave the Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of

the current campaign after failing to agree a deal at Rodney Parade.

French side Perpignan are favourites to sign him, although a

team from Japan and a Super-15 franchise are also interested. Some

of the world's best boxers will be heading to Cardiff in 2013. The

World Boxing Council's annual convention will be staged here with

a world title bout as part of the event. A delegation from Cardiff

Council travelled to Las Vegas to persuade the organisers to hold it

here. It's been a special day for a group of children from South Wales.

12 youngsters who are suffering from cancer paid a Christmas visit

to Downing Street with their families. The trip organised by the

Dreams and Wishes Charity also stopped off at the House of Commons

Derek's here. You've warned us all week about it. What's the latest on

the snow? It's still coming, but don't panic.

The snow won't be anywhere near as bad as last December. Some

disruption is likely but not everywhere will have snow. In fact,

we're in for a real mix of rain, hail and snow. Whether you get snow

will depend on where you live and how high you are above sea level.

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning, which means be prepared

plus a map showing where most of the snow will fall. It looks like

someone has cracked open an egg on Wales but the amber, yolk colour is

where we think will be worst hit so Breconshire, the South Wales

Valleys and Monmouthshire. Over 10cm possible on higher ground,

such as the Heads of the Valleys, the Black Mountains and the Brecon

Beacons. The snow the wet, sticky kind and consist of big flakes. So

tonight rain will spread north. And then after midnight the rain will

turn increasingly to sleet and snow. Temperatures around freezing or

just above with a north-easterly breeze. So first thing tomorrow a

mixture of rain and snow. Rain or sleet on the coast. Snow further

inland and the higher the live. Some hazardous driving conditions

likely so allow extra time for your journey. There could be problems on

the A470, The Heads of the Valleys and roads in Powys. The north

should escape the worst of it but expect some wintry showers. During

the day the rain and snow will move away. It will brighten up but with

wintry showers. The showers heavy with hail and thunder. Some snow in

the north, especially on the higher ground. The hills and mountains.

Top temperatures Six Celsius and feeling cold with a north-westerly

wind. Tomorrow night a few showers otherwise dry with clear skies.

Temperatures close to freezing or below with some frost and a warning

of ice. The weekend will bring a mixture of sunshine and wintry

showers. Most of the showers in the north. Some frost and icy patches

as well. In the meantime, take care if you are travelling in the next

24 hours and don't forget you can keep up to date with latest traffic

and travel news on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, online.

Now it's time for the children's pictures. The first by Alex Watkins.

The next, a Christmas Tree by Morgan Poole. And finally a snowman

by Ellie Pritchard. Snow is likely on the Berwyn

Mountains tomorrow. We'll bring you the latest on the snow in Breakfast

with traffic updates and forecasts every half an hour.

And there's more from us at 8:00pm and at 10:25pm. Back to Lucy in

It might not be the obvious time to open up a new shop, but Susan

Harris Harding was a property developer for 20 years until the

recession hit. Effectively our livelihood has been taken away from

us and that in turn has affected all our retirement plans, they've

been wiped away. She's now opened up a dress agency in Cardiff, where

she charges commission to sell on clothes for customers. This whole

period is changing everybody's view about how we spend money, we need

to reduce costs, especially for Christmas and big events. They're

looking to save money now and not be as wasteful. They can buy it for

the day, bring it back and resell it again. When it comes to keeping

costs low, fashion gradate Tina Wellstead is something of an expert.

This was one I bought. This was �2.50. I follow fashion to a

certain extent with skinny jeans, long cardigans. That's what I've

seen in a magazine and I've gone out and found them cheaper. I'm not

a person that has �100 to spend on an outfit, so if I can go to a

cheaper shop and put the same outfit together I'm happier doing

that. It's a trend that experts say we could see more of. There is a

change of perception towards buying second hand. There is a boom in

clothes swap parties, eBay, and thrift is the buzz word in all

areas of life. But tighter budgets also means more of us are buying

cheaper brands, which has a knock on effect elsewhere. Sally Hyman

runs seven charity shops across south Wales for RSPCA Llys Nini.

She's seen a difference in the quality of donations they receive.

It's a lot of cotton polyester things. In the past we've had

cashmere. People are generally buying cheaper brands, and when

they've finished with those, they pass them on to us. With the cost

of clothes production increasing, many more shoppers may find

themselves having to think a little more creatively about their

purchases in the future. Just a reminder, we will have the

latest on the snow when breakfast every half an hour tomorrow morning.

I'll be back at 8pm. Interesting to hear Howley how the

second-hand market is booming. Let's find out how independent

retail -- retailers are faring in Wrexham.

You set up bravely during the recession into NT 10. How is the

business going? It is going well at the moment. Christmas, it has

really picked up again. We are up and running again. I am pleased

about that. We have heard about business rates. Are they an issue

for you? Yes, they are. Once the relief has finished next year, we

do not know what we will do. are based in Wrexham Town Centre.

We have heard a lot today about how there is a massive rise in online

sales. You have a website. How is that going? Are you finding that is

doing well? At the moment, I have got a website that it is not doing

very well. The shop is doing better. We offer a bespoke service and you

do not get that online. It is better to come into the shop and

ask questions. It is the reverse for me. What do you think for a

bear it retails in the town centre? Do you think the increase in online

shopping is a problem for them generally? I would think so in

general. It has been very slow. I have not had time. I have been so