EFFORTS must be made to preserve a town's trading vibrancy.

Last week the leader reported on the closure of Dodd’s Auctioneers and Valuers, which has sat overlooking Chester Road in Mold since 1965.

At a meeting of Mold Town Council Dave Hill, town manager for Mold, said efforts must be made to find a business to take its place.

He said: "Fifty-five years trading in Mold is some considerable record. Dodds is a destination where people come to from miles around and it is just another thing the town is losing.

"People that come to Dodds and have for all those years have done other things in the town - whether they are taking their lunch, going to the bank or going to the shops.

"We have to work hard to get something to put in its place."

Mr Hill said the town centre is about to face another challenge, with hundreds of council staff set to move from County Hall to Unity House in Ewloe.

He added: "They do have a bearing on the vibrancy of this town so we have to look to see what we can do to ensure that trade is continuing."

Cllr Sarah Taylor said: "Over the last five years or so the number of people working at county hall has reduced by about 1,000, so it has been a gradual decline.

"There are about 400 people due to move out of there between October and December and while I accept that will be an impact on the town ultimately the release of that land and demolition of county hall will result in new housing being built there and further residents in Mold who will hopefully use the town as well."