Bridgwater’s MP, Sir Ashley Fox, has warned that local businesses in Eastover are being pushed to the brink - hit by rising costs, disrupted trade, and a lack of support from Somerset Council.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on the impact of business rates, Ashley Fox highlighted the cumulative pressures facing small traders in his constituency, describing a “perfect storm” of increased costs and prolonged local disruption.
He focused on the case of Styles Menswear, an independent shop in Eastover run by Paul Davies, whose business is now under severe strain. “Paul’s business rates have gone up from £3,000 a year to £9,000 a year,” said Ashley Fox. “This new cost, before we even consider Labour’s new jobs tax, puts his livelihood at risk.”
Eastover has also been at the centre of Somerset Council’s ‘Celebration Mile’ roadworks - a regeneration project that has seen extended closures, construction disruption, and major drops in footfall. The works began in October with a partial road closure and escalated to a full closure in January. Despite repeated calls for clarity, the road is now not expected to fully reopen until at least September - leaving traders to weather an entire year of disruption.
“This roadworks chaos has been devastating for local footfall,” Ashley Fox told MPs. “Footfall in Bridgwater is down 400,000 on the last 12 months, mostly caused by the incompetent way that Somerset Council have handled this project.”
While the ‘Celebration Mile’ is intended to boost the town centre, local business owners say it is so far having the opposite effect - driving customers away and undermining confidence.
Ashley Fox was particularly critical of the way the Liberal Democrat-run council has managed the scheduling of roadworks. “The Council seems to have scheduled multiple roadworks at the same time without thinking about the consequences. They know little and care less about the damage they’re causing,” he said.
He called on the Government to explore targeted business rates relief for firms disproportionately affected by council-imposed disruption - a policy that would allow businesses like Styles Menswear to access support when decisions outside their control lead to major loss of trade. “Businesses disproportionately affected by council actions should have the right to claim rates relief,” he said. “I would ask the Minister, when he replies, if he will consider this proposal.”
Ashley Fox concluded by urging immediate government action: “Minister, businesses in Bridgwater are suffering and need your help now.”
