Hot on the heels of chef Adam Fellows expanding his Goodfellows restaurant to the Haskins complex in Shepton Mallet are more Wells businesses moving into the town.
Businesses from the Wells Emporium -soon to become a Wetherspoons-are taking over the former Barnes Cheasley store which is being renovated by new owner and Shepton developer Pat Bridgeman.
Tracey Tucker, one of the four independent sole traders making the move, said they were all very ecited about the opportunities their new base will offer them. They will call themselves Somerset Antiques and Interiors.
Tracey said they were encouraged to move to 2 High Street by Belinda Ollis who with husband Wayne runs tow businesses selling interior, garden and architectural antiques in the town.
The couple have branched out from their first shop -Number Twenty One -to expand to a second base at Kilver Court down the road.
Tracey who concentrates on Victorian and Edwardian furniture said she and her Wells colleagues were looking forward to the move.
" We have all been struck by the wonderful community atmosphere and great spirit there is among the people in Shepton town centre. It's a great new location for us. We did not know what we would do when we heard the Wells Emporium was going-but Shepton for us is just the ticket"
Tracey and friends hope to be in their new base by June 10.
Mrs Ollis is one of the key members of the Traders Action Group, which has worked on various ideas to bring crowds and regenerate the town center after it was highlighted in the successful BBC series Turn Back Time last year.
She said "I hope the arrival of Tracey and her colleagues will inspire other businesses to follow. All we need is just a few more people to come in and it will snowball.
"Then we will become a major visitor centre and Shepton will be well and truly on the map"
Ian Jarmaine, chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce said it was great news for the town.
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| Work in progress by Brideman Ltd soon to be Somerset Antiques & Interiors |
Hi B,
ReplyDeleteExciting news indeed...
I had a couple of of would-be retail business owners in my shop last week, asking about trade in Shepton and for my opinions about which shop could be of benefit to them...things are definitely moving in the right direction, with more entrepreneurs seeing the potential of Shepton's lovely high streets and Market Place.
(My blog no longer seems to be updating on 'Shepton Life', which is a shame, as I wrote a short post, linking to you about, and welcoming the Wells ladies from Wells Europium to the town)
Have a great week,
Niki