A SHOP building off Taunton town centre widely regarded as an eyesore is being demolished.

Bulldozers are currently knocking down the former Poundstretcher store in Bridge Street, just off The Bridge over the River Tone.

The bargain store closed its outlet in August last year.

Somerset County Gazette:

The national company had been struggling with profits and the situation worsened with the Covid-19 crisis.

Poundstrecher announced in June last year that it could be shutting around 250 stores as it attempted to negotiate rent reductions.

The premises underwent a £100,000-plus internal and external makeover in 2017.

A leaking roof was repaired, new equipment installed inside, with two aisles removed to make the floorspace more open and aisles wider to improve customers' shopping experience.

Somerset County Gazette:

There was also a new till system in a better location, a new CCTV system, new lighting and new checkouts.

Poundstretcher's sister shop, Bargain Buys, remains open in North Street.

It had been set to close earlier this summer, but bosses had a change of heart after negotiating a lower rent.

A notice in the window informs customers that its sister shop, Bargain Buys remains open in the county town's North Street.