17/06/2026
What are your views?
I’m pleased to see a “To Let” sign in the window of “Mr Taunton” meaning that the unit is now back on the commercial market (rather than being closed for a further 3months or indeed reopened with the previous law breaking tenant)…..
However I would love to know a little more about the consequences for the tenants of Mr Taunton who committed the illegal activities….have they reopened elsewhere?
As Taunton and Wellington see an increased number of shops and businesses being closed due to illegal activity such as the sale of illegal to***co I now get really concerned whenever I see a “To Let” sign in a window…especially when they use words like “Short lease available” and “flexible”!!
With landlords being more desperate to “just fill” the empty units there will be more and more of these shops opening.
Landlords NEED to be held responsible for the activities in their properties and tenants need more than a short term closure and a slap on the wrists!!!
We NEED landlords to give a s**t about the high streets, to check the backgrounds and references and to care about what businesses fill their premises!!!!
There are people who want to open bricks and mortar businesses who will bring real value to our town centres and their opportunities are being taken away.
As a shop owner myself I’m proud that my landlord is someone who cared enough about his tenants and the town that they are located in to make sure that his premises are filled with good quality businesses….short term leases sound like an attractive prospect but the landlords who ask for references, solid business plans and a longer lease agreement are the ones who want you to do well and care about the town centres.
I’m pleased to see Gideon Amos - MP for Taunton & Wellington discussing this very subject again today. It is really important.
