MOST people believe Taunton is a better place since a shop selling legal highs was shut down by a court.

Police are collating responses after they asked for the public’s views on the county town since Hush, in Bridge Street, was subject to a three-month closure order on December 16.

The owner has appealed against the decision, imposed by Taunton Magistrates’ Court when police outlined a catalogue of anti-social behaviour they linked to Hush – his case is due to be heard at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, February 13.

Nick Smith, of South West Action Group, which campaigns against legal highs, said: “We hope the judge agrees with the police and it remains closed.

“All the people I’ve spoken to agree Taunton is a much better place after the closure.”

Several people voiced their support for the court ruling on this website.

pingu72 said: “Simon Tomlin (Hush owner); go away, we do not want you or your nasty products here, YOU are not welcome, get the message, go away, I have no idea how you sleep at night.”

Gem64 said: “No longer are there groups hanging around waiting for it to open, I have been aggressively targeted by one of the regulars asking for spare change and when I refused was called something. I have witnessed them fighting each other, one threatened to kill the other, I have seen them wrestling with the police. That area of town has been totally transformed and I hope it remains that way.”

But Love Your Job said: “Wait until summer and it will be just as bad. The fact that one shop has closed is not going to eradicate drunk/drugged people from the town.”

Taunton Police are asking people to let them know how they think Taunton town centre has been affected by last month’s closure of Hush – e-mail ssntauntontowncentreteam@avonandsomerset.police.uk or call 01823-363185 – the force has increased the maximum recording time to three minutes after a number of people were cut off before finishing.

Simon Tomlin failed to respond to an invitation to comment on his appeal.