A national report on the numbers of shops in town centres has found that more stores closed than opened in Somerset last year – however Burnham-On-Sea is one of two towns to buck the trend.
The new PricewaterhouseCoopers report looked at 500 towns across the UK – including seven in Somerset – and found there were generally fewer shops open than in 2013.
In Somerset, the report looked at Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil, Glastobury, Street, Burnham and Chard.
After an increase in the occupancy of shops between 2012-2013, the number actually dopped last year and in these seven Somerset towns, the report found 55 shops opened and 66 closed.
However, Burnham and Street were the only two towns to buck the trend with an overall increase in the number of their shops.
Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade welcomed the report, with a spokesman saying: “Burnham is a great shopping town with a super range of small independent stores alongside some big brands. This report highlights that we have very few vacant stores and that Burnham has held its own despite difficult economic times.”
Burnham’s Town Centre Manager, Bev Milner Simonds, added: “Our low vacancy rate is due to the clear offering we have as a town, large range of unit sizes and the hard work of our local estate agents.”
“We have one large unit that remains stubbornly unlet but the remaining units do get new tenants very quickly as and when they become available.”
“Burnham is far more than a High Street for tourists with over 200 businesses open 12 months of the year servicing the local population and visitors. Many towns across Somerset, and the UK, would give their eye teeth for what Burnham has.”
