IT WAS a shopping trip with a difference as traders, residents and councillors took a walk around Bridgwater’s town centre last week.

They were there to see how the town could attract more shoppers and update its retail offering and also tackle problems in the High Street area.

Led by Cllr Brian Smedley the posse of around a dozen interested parties looked at some of issues that affect the town. First up was the area by the roundabout outside the cinema and the cinema itself as the shops and flats in the building are vacant.

Sedgemoor’s corporate director Alison Griffin said: “We have looked at some of the options for the cinema site. Our preference is for it to be developed for alternative use as it is not a listed building. At the moment we are looking at whether we can take enforcement action on the owners to so it can be developed. The cinema and the Mecca Bingo are well used so if it was re-developed the people would want to see those facilities retained but on a new site. People have said they would like retail or leisure there. But the most viable development would probably be residential.”

The group heard the cinema has a covenant on it and so nothing can be done for another few years until the restriction lapses.

Nearby the group heard that the High Street tends to see a fall off in business past the Town Hall. That area has several estate agents as well as some shops for sale but it is an area that sees cafes, restaurants and nightlife. Remedies bar had put in for planning permission for a change of licensing which suggested confidence in the road while The Engine Room was also considered to be doing well. One of the main problems in the town was the small sizes of the shops and the “patchwork of landlords” meaning shops next door couldn’t always be knocked into one to make a larger store.

Angel Place was discussed and was felt to be a continued success as footfall had been retained. Also the shopping centre supported the community during events such as Christmas and the carnival. More units have moved into the Indoor Market the fact finders were told while the largest store in the road was possibly the sports shop.

Cllr Brian Smedley said: “As a town council we we’d like to see more independent shops like Frome or Totnes.

“Bridgwater is growing fast and so we need to deal how to deal with that in terms of shopping.

“Historically the shops used to stretch right down the town from North Street to Eastover and the railway station.

“Over the years it has been cut off by intersections and roads changing the nature of the main centre.”

What do you think? Email Harry Mottram at harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk