WATCHET could be starting to recover from the setbacks which have dogged it since the vital Blue Anchor link road was closed in 2023, civic leaders claimed, when they launched a new fashion store in the town on Easter Monday.

Swain Street was busy with residents and visitors as local MP Rachel Gilmore and the town’s mayor, Cllr Loretta Whetlor, opened Maria Morgan’s specialist casual wear shop in premises at the back of Albert’s hardware store and wished it all success.

Maria said: “I was made redundant last September from Watchet’s only clothes shop when they decided to close their doors for good. This had quite an impact on local customers and so I decided to branch out on my own and provide comfortable casual clothes which are affordable to locals and holiday-makers.”

Cllr Whetlor, who was wearing an outfit she had bought at Maria’s Casual Wear, said: “I was delighted to be at the opening of yet another new venture which is going to put Watchet on the map again. This sort of business is just what the town needs.

“There are certainly reasons to be optimistic about Watchet’s future after what has happened in recent months. We have seen the re-opening of the West Somerset Hotel and the Swain Street delicatessen, the launch of the Backstreet Theatre and Jill Newton’s Gallery and the marina is coming to life again.”

Maria said she was grateful for the support she has received for her new venture and is offering a range of men’s and women’s casual wear, shoes and jewellery. She added: “Thank you for believing in me and my dream.”

Officiating at the opening, Watchet town crier David Milton said: “With this new shop and other developments we are showing that Watchet is alive and well and determined to thrive.”