I think probably part of the reason for that is the main demographic that visits Llandudno. Many of them are pensioners from the North West and the Potteries who are on tight budgets. They have money to spend in Billy Lal etc, but not somewhere like Betty's or Harrods.
Llandudno should really market itself at a higher end market as it could make a killing! The hotels etc should also be encouraged to improve themselves. I really think fewer hotels and better quality is the way to go. There are far too many large hotels chasing a fairly poor demographic, hence cheap, poor quality hotels (having a rather moribund hospitality assoc doesn't help).
Right now, we have the Local Plan coming in which will protect a large area of hotels in Llandudno from other developments and I think this is wrong. If we take a case a few years ago, the Ormescliffe hoped to turn itself into high-quality apartments, but this was refused. I fail to see why, as rather have good quality housing than mediocre hotels that are never full.
If we look at Scarborough, they took the decision a few years ago to go for quality rather than quantity and have reaped the benefits. We should be attracting weekenders from the cities and foreign tourists who have money to spend and high quality shops will follow. Look at a hotel like Escape and how well that is doing.
I am sure I may sound a snob, but I'm convinced that for the future of the town, it needs to up its quality factor. It has the architecture, the scenery and the countryside and could do so, so well....if only it was given a bigger boost.