THE dire state of trade for many shops and businesses in Watchet’s Swain Street since the closure of the B3191 Blue Anchor road has been spelled out to the town council.

Councillors were told by a trader speaking on behalf of a number of others that visitors needed to be encouraged to travel through Swain Street to the parking available beyond Harbour Road to generate extra footfall.

They heard Chives Café had experienced its worst trading in seven years with a dramatic decline in customers threatening the future of the business.

The Swain Street car park entrance in Watchet next to the Co-op was rumoured to soon be closed off. PHOTO: Google Maps.
The Swain Street car park entrance in Watchet next to the Co-op was rumoured to soon be closed off. PHOTO: Google Maps. ( )

Richard Little Family Butchers was cutting opening hours to three days a week because of the low footfall, and clothing chain Clathers, which was founded in Watchet, had closed.

There was concern about vehicle access between Swain Street and Harbour Road where traders wanted a review of the positioning and content of directional signage.

A sign currently on the doctors’ surgery wall was considered not visible until too late, meaning drivers travelling along Harbour Road did not realise alternative parking was available in Anchor Street, and there was no mention of parking in Market Street, both of which often had unoccupied spaces.

Traders also wanted to know if there was any truth in rumours of the closure of the car park entrance next to the Co-op store

They further asked if disused toilets in Market Street car park could be demolished and the power supply instead used to provide electric car battery charging points, which might encourage greater use.

And a request was made for a new sign giving directions to both Anchor Street and Market Street car parking, ideally located close to the former garage on Harbour Road for drivers to be able to make earlier decisions.

Councillors were also asked if any new signage could include the numbers of parking spaces available in each car park, because visitors were often seen leaving the town when Harbour Road was full without realising three other often under-utilised car parks were nearby.

Town councillors, who previously received Watchet Task Force reports on the Harbour Road entrance, agreed to ask Somerset Council for an update.