Glastonbury Shops - The Changing Trends of Our High Street

It was reported recently that Pedalers Toymaster on the trading estate by B&Q is to close; some of you may remember when this company used to be based in Magdalene Street in what is now News At Ten.

Toymaster is a large store selling all kind of toys and play equipment and one can only assume that trade may have been affected by the fierce competition from on-line retailers, although the reasons for Toymaster closing may not be connected to profitability.

But there have been some other changes in the town of late. The Dusty Attic Bears shop in Benedict Street has, almost over night, become The Wild Hunt. No fluffy teddies to be found here any longer, instead wicca and green man merchandise. The Gauntlet has been re-shuffling units, many of which are set to become small residential lettings.

At the top of town, the freehold of Ye Olde Queens Head pub is up for sale while pretty much opposite, a new bicycle shop opened up a fair few weeks ago.

There are many businesses in the High Street which seem to weather the financial storm, year after year - for as long as I can remember, Gothic Image has been synonymous with Glastonbury High Street as has Dilliway and Dilliway (once upon a time known as 'Dragons'). The Blue Note Cafe, Margaret Kimber and Star Child in the Glastonbury Experience too.

Who recalls the Global Cafe? This was situated in what is now Ralph Bending Estate Agents. One of my favourite places to have closed down was the enormous Book Barn type affair which was on the Market Place, where now Zapps and the betting shop are. This was a huge labyrinth like place, almost like the Cemetary of Forgotten Books as written about by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Of course many will lament the loss of that once great British mainstay of the High Street - Woolworths, the former premises of which is now inhabited by Earthfare. I cursed their demise at Christmas when I needed some replacement bulbs for a set of fairy lights! Where else could I think to go and get some? The internet of course.......

What do you miss about the High Street and do you remember a certain business closing that you really favoured? Let us know!