After more than a century of serving the community, GW Hurley Newsagents has closed its doors for the final time. Established in 1919, this iconic Burnham-On-Sea shop was operated by three generations of the same family, most recently managed by Colin Morris, the founder’s grandson.
Colin, who celebrated his 80th birthday on May 1, has been a familiar face behind the counter, rising at 5 a.m. daily to serve customers until yesterday’s last shift. Born above the shop, Colin’s journey began as a paper delivery boy at just eight years old. Over the decades, he witnessed significant changes in retail, including a shift in consumer habits and the rapid rise of online shopping—a challenge that ultimately made sustaining the business increasingly difficult.
Reflecting on his lifelong commitment, Colin shared, “My parents ran the business for 20 years, then I took it over and have been here ever since—it feels like an eternity. I’m getting too old and my legs are getting tired.”
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Colin followed in the footsteps of his grandparents, Mable Hurley and Gilbert Wesley Morris, and his parents, Phyllis and Harold Morris. His wife, Monika, stood by his side, helping run the shop seven days a week. Colin’s daily routine started early, usually at 4:30 a.m., to open by 5 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., with shorter hours on Sundays.
Monika expressed heartfelt thanks to the community for their longstanding support: “We thank all our loyal customers for their support over the years. Many are saddened to see the newsagent close but are happy to see the premises taken over by such a wonderful charity.”
The closure marks the end of a family legacy but ushers in a new chapter for the historic building. It will now become a community hub for the local mental health charity, In Charley’s Memory (ICM). This nonprofit currently supports over 200 young people across Somerset every week and needed to relocate after its previous location was put up for sale.
Dawn Carey, CEO of ICM, shared her excitement about the move: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured a 15-year lease for the new premises, thanks to Monica and Colin’s incredible support. This building holds great importance to them and to the history of our High Street. The level of community backing we have received reflects how much our work is valued.”
Monika added that the new community hub will help boost footfall in the town center and provide vital mental health resources, emphasizing that it will be much more than a traditional charity shop — it will actively involve and benefit the whole community.
As Colin steps into a well-deserved retirement after decades of dedication, the legacy of GW Hurley Newsagents will live on, now transformed into a beacon of community support and care.