There are mounting fears that a brand new pet centre being opened at Sanders Garden World, near Burnham-On-Sea, in March will hit trade at small pet shops in the town.
The Brent Knoll garden centre has controversially announced that it is expanding its product range by opening a dedicated pet and aquatic store on Saturday March 11th.
This has left local councillors and traders with new fears that trade will be sucked out of Burnham.
June Fisher, owner of The Pet Shop on Burnham High Street, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It’s bound to have an impact on us.”
“An out-of-town store with free parking is certain to draw away customers when we have only a few parking spaces here in the town, most of which have to be paid for.”
Alan Rose, owner of Animal Fayre, added: “Hopefully it won’t have too much of an effect. Sanders is some way out of town and I think customers want the personal touch. Some may go to Sanders initially, but I think our regulars will be back.”
The new Garden World pet centre will sell rabbits, hamsters, mice and reptiles, in addition to tropical, marine and cold water fish – all of which are currently sold at the two pet stores in Burnham town centre.
Burnham-On-Sea Mayor Eric Gill is also worried about the new store. “Traders in the town have already said they have been having a bad time of late and anything that takes away custom from them is deplorable,” he told the Burnham Times.
“My other worry is that they are in breach of a planning condition because when they first opened, lists were drawn up with what they can and can’t sell.”
RELATED LINKS:
‘Use it or lose it’ warning to Burnham shoppers
Sanders Garden World expansion gets the green light
Town Council statement on Garden World go-ahead
