WHSmith has opened the doors to its refurbished high street store in Weston-super-Mare following eighteen months of restoration work on the Georgian building.

The popular store closed its doors and temporarily relocated to the Sovereign Centre in January as they undertook reconstruction work on the building, working closely with North Somerset Council. The renovation is now finished and is already wowing locals with its beautiful store front.

The lead work on the front of Weston’s newly refurbished WHSmith store has been painstakingly restored, highlighting the ornate work originally put in place in the early 1900s. In the centre of this work is a quotation from Shakespeare: Come and take a choice of all my library and so beguile thy sorrow. The lead work also includes Tudor hunting dogs, flourishes of vegetation, Tudor roses, a bear, dragon, cherub and even a unicorn.

The original bow windows on the front of the store have been refreshed, with the previous second entrance to the store being replaced with a double window. The fascia has also been updated to a black sign with the branding painted on, in line with the Great Weston Conservation Area which launched earlier this year.

Helen Burgess, Group Property Director, WHSmith said: “We are delighted to be welcoming customers back to the Weston-super-Mare WHSmith High Street store following reconstructive work to the building and fascia. We really hope our customers and the community will enjoy the restored appearance and shopping our fantastic product offer.”

Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “The work undertaken by WHSmith is an example of how historic buildings can be lovingly restored and play a key part in today’s modern high street. This shop frontage sets a positive bench mark and provides inspiration for other businesses in the Heritage Action Zone, which will be launched later this year.”

The Heritage Action Zone is part of the Weston Town Centre Regeneration Programme which is being led by North Somerset Council to deliver improvements to key sites within the town and encourage inward investment.

The regeneration of Weston-super-Mare works towards creating a vibrant and diverse town focused around living, learning and lifestyle. The council will continue to deliver improvements to key development sites, positively encourage investment and attract more people to live in the town centre, creating an improved local economy that is also sensitive and supportive of our vibrant heritage.

Weston was one of the first places to be awarded Heritage Action Zone status. There are now 18 Heritage Action Zones in villages, towns and cities across England.

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