A ONCE-thriving shop in the heart of Highbridge has this week been boarded up after being repossessed as the recession makes a visible mark on the town.
Much to the dismay of local residents and businesses, the windows of Highbridge News in Church Street were replaced by wooden boards on Monday (June 1st).
Mike Murphy, Chairman of the town’s Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com the sight was “a very sad day for Highbridge.”
He added: “It is terrible that this once busy shop has been boarded up by an absent landlord.”
“It’s on a very visible corner site in the town and unfortunately boarding up was the only solution in the short-term until it is bought at auction.”
“Our thoughts go to the entrepreneurs who bought it during the property boom, and became a victim of the recession.”
Several local traders and residents say they are unhappy that the property has been boarded up in such a prominent position.
“This will discourage people from shopping in the town – it makes the area look run down,” one told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
