A Taunton businesswoman has issued an urgent call to support independent shops amid a wave of closures impacting the town this year. Susie, co-owner of the local gift shop Rocket and Bird, shared her concerns with over 6,200 followers on Facebook, declaring that Taunton’s High Street is in “crisis.”
Writing on the Taunton Independent Quarter Facebook page, Susie expressed her sadness over seeing familiar local businesses shut down in recent months. Unlike national chains, these small shops often close quietly, with the first sign of trouble being a “To Let” sign in the window.
Among this year’s closures are beloved local favorites: sweet shop Fizzy Wizzy Woo, florist Perfectflowers4u, restaurant Block, and gin bar Ninkasi, the latter citing rising costs and reduced foot traffic as reasons for its “difficult but inevitable” closure last week.
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Susie has reached out to Taunton Town Council Leader Tom Deakin, urging for increased support for small businesses. Deakin acknowledged the importance of a vibrant town centre, highlighting that out of approximately 150 traders in Taunton, around 100 are independents. “In many ways, Taunton bucks the national trend, and that’s something we should be proud of,” he said.
While Susie recognizes that businesses close for various reasons—retirement, relocation, family priorities—she feels more could be done to actively promote those that remain. She passionately calls for a collective effort to showcase Taunton’s diverse independent businesses year-round rather than focusing solely on big one-off events. “If we keep waiting, more shops will close, and it will be too late,” she warns.
She also points out the need for equal representation across the town, not just for businesses that pay for advertising or belong to certain groups. “The small business community is a huge part of Taunton, spread out but collectively strong.”
Although grateful for council initiatives like Christmas lights and green space maintenance, Susie finds it disheartening to see significant funding directed at short-term events instead of continuous promotion for local retailers. Her heartfelt post resonated widely, doubling the page’s viewership in recent weeks and sparking community discussions about town upkeep and footfall.
Deakin responded by listing recent council efforts—including doubling floral displays, maintaining planters in the Independent Quarter, safeguarding the town’s CCTV system, and introducing street marshals—to improve safety and ambiance. Plans for a pop-up shop and a new Transport Hub with community space are also underway to invigorate the high street.
However, he acknowledged that economic challenges often stem from broader national and global issues beyond local authority control. He emphasized that while Somerset Council collects local business rates and oversees economic development, the town council remains committed to fostering growth and prosperity.
Residents weighed in, some advocating for more investment in permanent businesses over day-long events, while others highlighted the positive impact of pedestrianisation on areas like Fore Street and St James Street. Susie noted the pedestrianisation of St James Street in 2019 was pivotal in creating the Taunton Independent Quarter, despite some businesses opposing the changes.
Comparisons with other towns like Bournemouth reveal that while Taunton faces challenges, it is relatively resilient with fewer vacant shops. Overall, the community calls for ongoing support and promotion of independent traders to ensure Taunton’s high street not only survives but thrives.