Caia Park and Run Ragged – our community corner article this month features Rob Davies of the city-centre shop, Run Ragged, and the controversy his anti-shoplifting sign caused. We also look at local actor Mark Lewis Jones, the recent fair at Caia Park and author Samantha Maxwell’s upcoming book launch.
“Scumbag Shoplifters”
A Wrexham shopkeeper’s blunt sign about “scumbag shoplifters” has sparked headlines from Good Morning Britain to The Telegraph — and even a comment from Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Rob Davies, who owns Run Ragged in the city centre, says he put the notice up after losing £200 of stock to theft.
“The only people it should be causing offence to are the shoplifters,” he said. North Wales Police have confirmed he was never told to remove the sign, only asked to consider its wording. Mr Davies, encouraged by global support, is now thinking of making even larger versions of the sign.
Dream Machine
The Dream Machine rolled into Island Green Retail Park last month, giving locals the chance of a lifetime: to pitch their dream directly to the doorbell of Sir Richard Branson and Simon Squibb. Budding entrepreneurs had 60 seconds to pitch their business idea, life goal, or social mission into the iconic Dream Machine doorbell. They were shared with a global audience on social media, reaching thousands – and in some cases, going viral.
Caia Park Environmental Fair
Last month’s fair at the Caia Park Partnership was a great success, showcasing some outstanding Wrexham businesses, including Simon O’Rourke Ltd, Rhyd Broughton Vets, and Craftstone Treasures.
There were refreshments, local arts and crafts, and also some fine musical performances from Danny Sergiou, Keir Harding, and a dance display by the Afro-Portuguese dance combo Sacapulidoras e Criolas Wrexham.
“Dipsy“, the pug, won best in show.
Mark Lewis Jones
From the big screen to global streaming giants, Mark Lewis Jones has undoubtedly become one of Wales’s most recognisable acting exports. Born and raised in Rhosllanerchrugog, the 59-year-old has built a remarkable career spanning stage, television and film. His versatility has seen him appear in everything from Game of Thrones and Star Wars: The Last Jedi to hit dramas such as Stella, Outlander and a stunning turn in The Crown.
This autumn, he returns to Welsh-language television in the particularly gripping S4C mystery drama Y Golau (The Light in the Hall), which continues on 14th September 14th. Channel 4 and AMC+ have already picked up the English-language adaptation, The Light in the Hall: Still Waters, broadening its audience even further.
Samantha Maxwell
Samantha‘s third book launch will take place in the Tŷ Pawb Performance Space on Saturday, 27th September, at 1:30 pm.
Silenced looks deeper into disability’s relationship to mental health and whether this is due to environmental, social or personal factors. It features contributions from Lesley Griffiths, MS for Wrexham, and also Counsellor Beryl Blackmore, former Mayor of Wrexham (2024-2025), alongside many others.
We hope you enjoyed “Caia Park And Run Ragged”. Click here for more of our articles about the local community.
