TAUNTON is at risk of becoming a ‘distressed’ location, meaning retail giants like Debenhams could consider shutting up shop, according to one of the town’s business experts.

Andrew Sharman is the leader of the South West Business Crime Centre and specialises in crime reduction and economic regeneration.

His comments came after Sergio Bucher, chief executive of Debenhams, recently said some of their stores are operating in “distressed locations”.

Mr Sharman said: “This harmful term can be applied to areas which have seen a severe footfall decline, a strong competition from larger shopping areas and an increase in larger void units.

“Obviously, it means that when considering their store closure programme, these ‘distressed locations’ will be the first to go.

“Recent news confirming the loss of County Stores, a unique larger unit in the town, combined with the empty Poundworld and Natwest units means that North Street is becoming increasingly distressed and that will impact on the wider retail footprint in the town.

“The threat for Taunton is clear and present. How do we convince our community to return to the town instead of online or visiting larger cities?”

One answer for this, according to Mr Sharman, could be a Business Improvement District (BID).

“The focus needs to be on protecting the existing footprint,” he said.

“I recently took Cllr Jane Warmington to visit the Weston BID team. They have had some positive impacts by building their offering around their BCRP (business crime reduction partnership).

“They recognise once people feel safe and secure they will stay in the town centre to enjoy the events and activities.

“The solutions are relatively simple but it needs leadership and coordination.

“It also needs to be implemented swiftly in order for Taunton not to be declared by a store such as Debenhams as a distressed location.”