A TAUNTON town centre road has been closed as works have begun to open a new business this week.
On Monday, January 19, contractors took to East Street, Taunton, where a full 24/7 road closure was deemed neccesary to to safely and efficiently service a building in preparation for it becoming a new restaurant.
Road closure signs have now gone up, with metal fencing placed around the former Wilko premises at 61 East Street.
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The opening of a new restaurant at these premises is positive news for the former Wilko shop, which has remained fully vacant until this year, when it was split into two.
In October 2025, the discount retailer B&M confirmed that it would be opening in the store, which has been closed since September 2023. Building works are well and truly underway, with contractors having refitted half of the old Wilko into a B&M, set for an opening date in early 2026.
When asked if B&M planned to open at the former Wilko site in Taunton, a spokesperson from B&M said: "Yes, this store will be opening early next year [2026].
"At this point, I can only confirm we will be opening a store."
Little is known about the new restaurant opening in Taunton town centre, which will have to compete with nearby fast food giants like McDonald's, KFC and Subway.
A pedestrian pathway is passable on the side of the Perkin Warbeck, but you cannot walk on the footpath directly outside the former Wilko. The road has also remained partially open for delivery use only, as per signage.
Somerset Council said that despite the disruption caused to traffic this week, these works will help create more jobs and increase footfall in Taunton, per the developer's plans.
A spokesperson for the council told the County Gazette: "We recognise the importance of supporting businesses in our town centres.
"The developer has underlined how this will create jobs and help increase footfall, which is why we are supporting this to happen as soon as possible and close to our own scheduled resurfacing works in early February.
"Coordinating all works into a single, short programme is intended to keep disruption to an absolute minimum while enabling long term improvements to the area.
"Somerset Council and the project team recognise that roadworks can be disruptive and would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding."
Following these works, East Street is scheduled to be resurfaced by the council overnight for approximately six nights at some point in early February 2026.
