Trade In Keynsham Could Die For Two Years Says Shopkeeper

A shopkeeper fears trading in Keynsham will die for two years while part the town centre is redeveloped.

Bath & North East Somerset Council wants to demolish The Centre precinct along with the town hall and library

New shops will replace the dozen which will be pulled down, but for up to two years while the town centre is being rebuilt they will have to find new premises.

The Handyman Shop near the Clock Tower has been in the precinct since it opened in the 1960’s and is currently owned by Dave Cox.

But the popular hardware store which stocks thousands of items from drain rods to doorbells, light bulbs to linen as well as a huge range of hand and power tools, could soon close for good.

There are ten full and part-time employees and the average length of service is 18 years.

Leonard Dunn set up the business in Rock Road, Keynsham, in 1951, moving to the 2,400sq ft store when the shopping precinct was built in the 1960s.

His son Alan took over and when Alan retired 14 years ago, Dave Cox bought the thriving business.

Mr Cox, who will be 65 this year, planned to retire himself and had found a buyer last November when he learned of Bath and North East Somerset Council's plans to demolish the precinct along with the town hall and library.

He said: "The buyers were lined up. They were enthusiastic.

"We were at the solicitors stage and B&NES had told them the lease would run until 2012, but at that stage the council knew a lot more than they were telling."

The cabinet made the decision in January last year to redevelop the town centre.

"I can't find anything the same size, that's the problem," said Mr Cox, who lives in Midsomer Norton.

"B&NES is paying lip service to helping local businesses. A lady came along from GWE Business West for a chat.

"She was nice but she's not come back with anything. She could see the amount of space we need.

"We could not go to an industrial estate. We are a high street store – it would kill the business.

"The council is talking about regenerating the town but this will kill Keynsham for two years."

Mr Cox said: "There is nothing wrong with these buildings structurally.

"Yes, they are tired looking but that could be fixed quite easily and it would be far less expensive than rebuilding."

It is understood the council has yet to find a developer for the project and is reviewing its plans.

Mr Cox said: "It's like the sword of Damocles hanging over our heads."

Bath and North East Somerset Council spokesman, James Hinchcliffe, said the redevelopment will give a boost to Keynsham's economy, keep employment in the town, and attract further investment to the area.

He said: "The construction will require the 12 tenants of shops located within the centre to vacate their premises so redevelopment can take place.

"It is unlikely this will take place until summer 2011 at the earliest, so until then businesses are open as usual."

The council is considering several options for how the development will be funded.

When completed, the new town hall offices will house council staff who are being moved from a number of offices in Bath. The council's property services team considered Mr Manaei's proposal and concluded there would not be room for the new offices, shop units, library and one-stop shop even if just one of the two retail blocks were retained.