Businesses along Burnham-On-Sea High Street experienced mixed trade during the run-up to Christmas – with some reporting their best-ever business.
While some shops in the town failed to benefit from a seasonal uplift due to the continuing recession, others have seen booming business.
Burnham-On-Sea.com has spoken to a cross-section of shops across the town centre in recent days to gather their feedback amid concern that further shops could close if trade was poor.
Ian Keane, owner of Truckles Farm Shop, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s been an incredibly busy run-up to Christmas – our best Christmas trade ever. We’ve seen lots of food orders and last-minute shoppers.”
Sea Foods owner Stephen Wright said: “Christmas week has been good, but our trade generally is very quiet. We’ve seen our quietest autumn for many years.”
DP Menswear’s Dennis Preedy added: “The month has been on a par with last year after a quiet autumn. We’re holding our own and are fortunate to have many very loyal customers.”
Phil Hemming at Home Hardware added: “It’s been a good Christmas – better than last year. I think the recent push to encourage local people to shop in town has helped.”
And Mrs Julian from Julian’s Gift Shop said: “Our Christmas business is slightly up on last year, but trade generally is disappointing. I would like to see more incentives for people to shop in Burnham – free parking for shoppers in the run-up to Christmas, for example, would help.”
Colin Morris of GW Hurley added: “Trade in the 10 days before Christmas picked up, but it has been a generally poor autumn and winter.”
Carrie Davies at Giggles Gift Shop added: “Trade has been a tad better than last year but after the snow and ice of last winter, that’s not a surprise. Generally, though, we are all operating in tough trading conditions.”
