Spring has sprung and Watchet is waking.
As the spring season fully embraces our captivating coastline, you may have noticed a rejuvenation in our town high street. March 23rd marked the reopening of the West Somerset railway and with it the Market House museum and Radio museum open their doors once again. A new shift in priorities after the initial shock of the Blue Anchor road closure has created an all round sense of hopefulness.
‘This year, Watchet will be a destination, not a cut through.’
And what a destination it is!
Boasting an almost completely independent high street, with not one but two regular artisan markets and a pub for every type of drinker – Why not start your day with a breakfast at one of our charismatic cafes, enjoy a peruse of any of our brilliant museums or galleries.
You could grab ingredients for a gourmet picnic from our deli or various suppliers of local produce, following that up with a wander around the unique independent shops.
Perhaps ending with fish and chips on the esplanade and a tipple of your choosing, (often accompanied by live music) and you’d be hard-pressed not to call it a phenomenal day out!
Watchet’s welcoming and creative community coupled with the beaches, stunning walks and proximity to many fantastic local amusements offers a rare opportunity for small businesses to thrive. Encouraging a style of working that allows for family and health first. Each business, run for passion, not just profit.
With activities, events and scenery to match, Watchet stands in good stead to become one of this years most coveted holiday destinations. This is thanks in no small part to a newly formed town centre group.
A collaborative collection of local business owners, focusing on supporting and encouraging small business, without shaming owners or hyper focusing on the negative. This powerhouse group aims to replace problems with positivity.
‘Watchet looks out for each other, we are a community first, families, first time business owners and even projects to support individuals with health issues. Watchet is about kindness.’
By re-centring the narrative of business around collaboration and communication, this group relieves the pressures of the ebb and flow of a town heavily influenced by the holiday seasons. Resting in the winter and supporting each other through a busy summer, allows the high street to navigate the seasonal flow that can often feel crippling to a coastal community.
Practically, this means an ever busy line of communication between individual businesses, formal and informal meetings to bolster a sense of connection and plan many of Watchets regular events, and even providing a line to help when an individual is struggling at work. The businesses may be independent but the high street is united.
We can only speculate what will happen next, but with such positivity permeating the local area, one can only watch as wonderful Watchet grows.
DLPayne 2024
