A BRIDGWATER gallery is closing after more than 40 years in business.

Anne Caddick has run the Armoury Gallery in St Mary Street for 24 years but while she will continue her framing business, the gallery is shutting its doors for the final time of Christmas Eve.

Ms Caddick has framed all sorts of items over the years from signed shirts to a Formula 1 car side panel to Bridgwater Carnival costumes.

“I have many good memories and many of my customers have become good friends over the years,” Ms Caddick said.

“I like to have a laugh with my customers. Many of them have said they will continue to use my framing business once the gallery itself closes.”

The Armoury Gallery was originally started by Claire and Arthur Woolaway around 40 years ago in the old armoury in Friarn Street, before moving to St Mary Street.

Having previously worked as a postie, Anne took over the business with her ex-husband in October 1995 but says changing consumer habits and traffic caused by Hinkley C were factors in falling footfall for the business.

“To be honest the big problems started with Hinkley C and the roadworks at Wylds Road,” Ms Caddick said

“People stopped coming into the town when it was taking an hour to get in and out of Bridgwater. They started shopping elsewhere in that time and it is difficult to get them back.”

Ms Caddick also felt people shopping online more and more and supermarkets offering more and more services meant more independent shops would go in Bridgwater.

“As with many of these things, it is case of use it or lose it,” she said.

The Armoury Gallery is having a closing down sale with 50 per cent off most stock before the closure on Christmas Eve.

Anne Caddick will still be running a framing business and can be contacted on 07379 257014.