A VETERINARY clinic has purchased an unused office building in Williton followed an "increased demand" for services.

St Peter's House, a former office building, has been unoccupied since March 2020.

Housing provider Magna Housing has now sold the building to local business White Lodge Veterinary Clinic.

White Lodge Veterinary Clinic was set up in west Somerset in the 1950s, before moving to its clinic on Stephenson Road, Minehead, in 1994.

It now has a equine and farm animal clinic in Minehead and serves west Somerset as well as parts of Devon.

Set up in 2010, the Williton clinic currently employs more than 30 people.

The move offers them the added benefit of freeing up two council-owned units for start-up businesses to rent.

Magna has said that the income of the sale will be invested back into the company's services and homes.

Carolyn Bill, Magna’s head of asset investment, said: “As the main housing provider in Williton, we’re committed to supporting the communities we serve.

"This opportunity will offer local people with more access to services and create jobs. The income from the sale will be invested back into our services and homes.”

Tom Gliddon and Paul Gannon, directors of White Lodge, both grew up in Williton.

The pair hope that the purchase of the building will not only attract new customers, but will also create new jobs for the local community.

Director Tom said: “Due to increased demand and looking to the future with extra housing planned for Williton and Watchet in particular, we required a larger building.

"The current practice in Williton serves pet-owners as far afield as Nether Stowey and Bishops Lydeard, as well as offering a convenient pick-up location for medicines for horse-owners and farmers.

“St Peter’s House offers us the room we need now and for the foreseeable future.

"It will create extra, high-quality jobs in Williton as well as helping to reduce environmental impacts of journeys, as currently we have to offer appointments in Minehead to people who could be seen in Williton if we had the space.”