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One of the most "thriving" parts of Taunton town centre is already suffering from the effects of the coronavirus.

Station Road is home to many independent businesses, such as takeaways, convenience stores, music shops, a tattoo parlour and cafes.

Somerset Live visited the road last Thursday (March 12), which is known by some locals as "thriving" and the small number of closed shops.

Business owners in the area had believed Station Road's success was down to low rent costs, wide range of niche stores but bemoaned its lack of parking nearby.

Since then, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had advised the general public to avoid pubs, clubs and restaurants and warned about social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

His advice, while not outright ordering businesses to close down, has triggered a dramatic effect to shops, with some Station Road stores making the decision to temporary close.

Some stores are now altering how they operate, namely by resorting to online and making deliveries, while some will remain open until they are told otherwise.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has however unveiled a £330 billion financial package to protect the economy, which includes loans, £20 billion in other aid, a business rates holiday, and grants for retailers and pubs.

A week on from speaking to shop owners, we spoke them again as they deal with the problems that coronavirus is causing.

Business owner closes shops to 'protect' his health and customers

Paul Dawson, of Moore's Music and Railway Records, previously called Station Road a "really nice area" where businesses help each other out.

He specialises in selling second-hand musical instruments at Moore's Music while across the road, he sells records, CDs and vinyl players at Railway Records.

He said he "sells the right stuff at the right price" and cited its "reasonably priced" rent for why he opened two stores on Station Road.

(Image: Michael Taylor)

Mr Dawson said he enjoyed regular customers coming into his music shop, had a number of passing visitors pop in for a look and even someone from Northern England interested in his guitars.

But declining footfall and concerns for his own health has forced him to make the decision to close both shops on Tuesday (March 17).

He said: "I have closed my shops as I have made the decision to protect myself and my customers as I am in the high risk category.

"My plan is to set up a new website in the next two weeks so I can continue trading."

(Image: Michael Taylor)

He noticed that over the past week how his shop had become "very quiet" due to fears over the coronavirus.

"The entertainment business has gone to pot. All events have been cancelled so no one needs guitars or instruments.

"But I will trading online in the next two weeks for the time being.

When asked about the grant available to small businesses, he said: "Any help will be much appreciated."

Specialist shop fears 'long term effects' on businesses

(Image: Michael Taylor)

Paul Harrison, of Kanalife, recently opened Taunton’s first CBD and Hemp shop in November last year.

Kanalife specialises in CBD and Hemp-based products, such as CBD Oil, chocolates, beauty products, accessories and snacks.

Explaining why he opened in Station Road, Mr Harrison said: "The rent was right. It's five times as much in Taunton town centre and I liked the look of the shop.

"We work quite closely with the police and council so it made sense to be on their door step."

He remarked the "January and February lull" had already caused a decline in footfall but had a dedicated customer base continued to visit.

(Image: Michael Taylor)

Now Mr Harrison is considering closing down and resorting to online trading. He cannot advertise his products on Facebook due to the site's ban on advertising CBD products.

He said on Wednesday (March 18): "We have seen a drop in customers due to coronavirus. Everyone has wanted to go to the supermarkets for some reason.

"I think we are going to close today and then do some deliveries in the next week.

"We already offer this but we will continue to trade."

Mr Harrison believes coronavirus will cause "long term effects on everyone" and said he will "play it out and see what happens".

But beyond the business, Mr Harrison will now go into self-isolation over concerns about the health of his son.

He said: "My son has respiratory problems and we were in hospital last year with him on a ventilator.

"It is wise to close the shop and self-isolate.

"I am OK as I am fit and healthy but I am worried about him at the moment."

'The area is just dead. There is no one around'

One of Station Road's newer businesses, Coffee Kitchen opened its doors in January and offers hot drinks, cakes, snacks and much more.

Its owner, Antonio Perrone, moved into the unit thanks to its low rent and was impressed by the area.

He previously said: "One of the main reasons of coming to this street was the good rent on offer.

"This area has great large businesses which will hopefully use our services such as the council, industrial estate and police.

"We just love the greenery and garden area in front of us which is quite appealing. It gives a different view of Taunton."

He had enjoyed some success over the last two months but coronavirus has ground any growth to a halt.

One by one, he has seen shops around him temporarily shut their doors and rapidly declining visitors to Station Road.

He said: "Sales were 10 per cent down on Monday, 25 per cent down on Tuesday and it is about 50 per cent down on Wednesday.

"Last week was normal and then we started to notice businesses start to dry up on Monday.

"I saw a few shops had closed up on Monday, including one of my competitors and Biddy Burger.

"The area is just dead. There is no one around. There are cars and people walking past but no one is coming in.

"They're going out to get their things and then heading to go straight home."

For now, Coffee Kitchen remains open but Tony fears about the future of his business.

He is keenly watching out for any grants to support small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.

Got a view on this story or is there another issue you want us to investigate? Do you have an opinion on this story? Do you have a story or issue in Bridgwater, Taunton or West Somerset story you want us to investigate? If so, please get in touch with reporter Michael Taylor who covers the area for Somerset Live. You can get in touch with him via: Email: michael.taylor@reachplc.com; Tweet: @JournoMikeT; Call: 07790590652

"I will see what it is like at the end of the week. If there’s an enforced ban over the weekend or early week, then there’s no point in me opening due to staff and running costs and income won’t cover it.

"For us, it is even more of a struggle because as we have only been open for a short time, haven’t built up a built a client base and I have spent a lot of money refurbishing the business to ensure we could open.

"Now it's all going to be for nothing because I will not be able to sustain this. We need the cash flow and people coming through the door otherwise we will go bankrupt."

Sandwich shop will 'stay open until told otherwise'

(Image: Michael Taylor)

Run by Karen and James Pegler, The Piccalilli Line recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on Station Road.

Mrs Pegler said it was "pure luck" that they found the premises and moved to the area after running a business in Honition.

She noted how rent on Station Road was much less expensive than Wellington town centre - another area they looked at moving to - but settled on the Station Road premises.

Mrs Pegler said: "We noticed there wasn't anywhere for people to get anything for lunch and there's the swimming pool, council building and all of the traders.

"We make everything here such as cakes and sandwiches. That's difference and keeping the prices low so people can get a really good lunch at a good price."

Mrs Pegler commented how footfall and customers in the area "varies" but her deli has benefited from commuters travelling via Taunton Station.

Now the coronavirus outbreak has caused a drop in customers - but not to the extent that other businesses have been affected.

She said: "It hasn't been too bad and we have been busy at lunchtimes. But there has been a drop off.

"Just waiting to see what will happen, to be honest."

Mrs Pegler has noted staff from Somerset West and Taunton Council now work from home and how it "has made a big difference" and observed "there are no cars around".

The Piccalilli Line will however stay open as long as possible and is keenly listening out for any government annoucements.

"We are unaware if you have to stay open if you are a food business due to the coronavirus. We are just waiting for an announcement.

"All we will do is stay open as long as we're told otherwise."

What is the government doing to save affected businesses?

(Image: Matt Dunham/PA Wire)

Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday (March 17) unveiled a package of financial measures to shore up the economy against the coronavirus impact.

It includes £330bn in loans, £20bn in other aid, a business rates holiday, and grants for retailers and pubs.

He told a press conference it was an "economic emergency" and promised that if this package was not enough, he would go further.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including: