Moves to protect shopping centre

Colyton Chamber of Feoffees buys vacant Wilkies store for £100,000 to prevent it having a ‘negative impact’

Colyton’s Chamber of Feoffees has spent £100,000 to help safeguard the town’s historic shopping centre.

The charity organisation has bought the former Wilkies convenience store in Market Place, which closed last September.

Chairman Colin Pady said they had decided to act to prevent the empty property having “a negative impact” on the town’s commercial heart.

He said the move had been well received by local people who had suffered the loss of several businesses recently, along with a reduction in bus services which had made it even more important to keep facilities in the town.

Now the Feoffees are looking for a buyer for the store which is being marketed through Lyme Regis estate agents Martin Diplock.

Said Mr Pady: “We are open to any offers that will promote business – anything to ensure the vibrant mix of traders in Colyton. The Feoffees well aware of the challenging time fort retail premises.”

In the meantime Mr Pady said they planned to fully restore the property, both inside and out – ensuring that it was not a blight on the centre.

For more information potential buyers are asked to contact Martin Diplock at their offices in at 36 Broad Street, Lyme Regis, on 01297 445500 e mail post@martindiplock.co.uk or via the website www.martindiplock.co