A long-running gift shop in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea is closing down after becoming a victim of the recession and high business rates.
Magpie Gifts in the High Street, owned by Mel and Rob Johnson, is to close its shopfront shutters for the final time in October.
“Trading has been poor during the recession and the council’s business rates are too high for us to continue,” Mel told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week.
“Fifty per cent of our suppliers in the gift trade have gone, which has also made things difficult.”
“That said, many customers in Burnham have been loyal and we will miss them.”
“We will be holding a 40 per cent sale up to the closure of the shop on October 25th.”
Mel told Burnham-On-Sea.com the couple are concentrating their efforts on continuing their successful town centre confectionery store, Mix It, instead.
The shop, pictured, is situated at the southern end of the High Street and is proving popular with holidaymakers and local shoppers alike.
