A NEW coffee shop, newsagents, fashion retailer or estate agent could be coming to Ilminster after an empty shop was made available for lease.

The site, at 2 East Street, was formerly the home of McColl’s newsagents.

The shop shut last month, on Friday, October 11.

The empty store is now available for a new business to come to town after being put up for rent by leasing agent Smith Price RRG.

Agent Harry Brown said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a local occupier to acquire a large prominent shop in an attractive and affluent market town with few voids.

“The premises occupies a prime trading location on the southern side of East Street, Ilminster’s principle retailing thoroughfare, and the split level trading would be suitable for a variety of local occupiers including newsagents, coffee shops, fashion retailers, estate/travel agents and restaurant operators (subject to planning).”

Just before McColl’s withdrew from Ilminster, the company reported like-for-like sales were down and revenue down in the third quarter of 2019.

Mr Brown added: “Despite the endless ‘death of the high street’ publicity and the challenges and uncertainty surrounding Brexit which we are regularly drawn to within the public domain, the market sentiment for well placed retail assets is still strong which is evident within vibrant market towns.”