A BRIDGWATER motorcycle showroom and equipment store is closing down at the end of this month – and has blamed the move in-part on the controversial Celebration Mile project.

Anderson & Wall, in Church Street, will close its doors for the final time on January 30.

Owner Richard Humphrey has confirmed he is retiring and closing the business – and took a swipe at the troubled Celebration Mile project, which saw a raft of roadworks close roads in the town centre to create a pedestrian and cycle route from the train station to Bridgwater Docks.

Road closures and works associated with the initiative have been blamed for falling trade by traders in the town – including Richard, who took over the running of the firm from his parents.

“I always knew, especially since I became a sole trader and, obviously, getting older, that one day I would have to retire and sell up. Well, unfortunately, that time has now come and I have decided to close the business,” he said.

“As well as retiring it has also become untenable for us to continue and, sadly, the final nail in the coffin (and I’m sorry to keep on banging the same drum) has been the so-called Celebration Mile.

“We have struggled for the last two years and it has been really difficult with customers trying to find us or being unable to get to us, firstly due to the roadworks and now Eastover area is finished, customers and ourselves have to drive around the perimeter of Bridgwater just to get to Church Street.

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“It has not been an easy decision to make. I started working for Anderson & Wall as soon as I left school, as it was my mother and father’s business, having purchased the former business and garage in High Street (now the Engine Room).

“My father, Dennis, worked for Anderson & Wall for many, many years. We’ve always believed the company was started in 1918 and know they had numerous premises in and around the St Mary Street area.

“Many people will probably remember them from the corner of Dampiet Street (now Fine Memorials) and we also know they had a tyre depot on the opposite corner and workshops in Friarn Street.

“We tried a few years ago to find evidence of dates but could only find photographs. We also could only find dates back to 1923, unfortunately.

“Even so, this still makes the company over 100 years old, so definitely the end of an era.”

He spoke of how the business had progressed from dealing “mainly with motorcycles in the early years”, to becoming a franchise for the classic Reliant three-wheeler while still in the High Street, before moving to Church Street in the late 70s.

“Sadly, my father passed away in 1995 and the business was left to my brother John and I to continue, with mum’s continued interest and help, to this day,” he went on.

“John and I had quite a few years selling mainly lightweight scooters and motorcycles and helmets and clothing helping to give the young, local individuals independence for getting to work and college, as well as adults looking for cheaper and convenient modes of transport.

Anderson and Wall has been operating for more than 100 years. Picture: Google

“John died in 2012, unexpectedly leaving the future of Anderson & Wall in my hands, not what I was expecting.

“All that remains for me to say is a massive thank you to all the many, many customers who have supported us over the years. We shall miss you and your cars, Reliants, trikes and motorcycles and scooters.

“We hate the thought of letting you all down, even though we only see some of you for your annual MOT test. Any scooters or motorcycles that we have sold, especially those with warranty, can go to any bonafide dealer for continued servicing and warranty work.

“Hopefully, we have kept many of you on the road and we have always tried to be fair and honest with all our customers.”

MP Ashley Fox (Con, Bridgwater), visited the store after the announcement, and said: “It was incredibly difficult meeting Richard and hearing first-hand how a 107-year-old family business has been pushed to the brink.

“Anderson and Wall has not reached this point because of poor decisions by the owners, it has reached this point because Somerset Council’s actions cut off customers and damaged trade.

“Businesses were told they would benefit once the Eastover and Celebration Mile works were finished, and that promise has not been kept.

“Add to that a more than doubling of business rates and rising employment costs, and it becomes clear why so many local businesses are struggling.

“This is a real loss for Bridgwater, and it should never have been allowed to happen.”

Anderson & Wall owner Richard Humphrey with Bridgwater MP, Ashley Fox

Work on the Celebration Mile was beset by delays and issues with the quality of the work, with one council leader branding it “simply not good enough”.

Cllr Mike Rigby, the authority’s lead member for economic development, planning and assets, said in September last year: “This is an important scheme to improve the shopping experience and open up the area for street events, such as entertainment and markets.

“We have always been fully committed to the concept, but I am very disappointed at how this has been delivered.

“We understand there will be challenges with a job of this scale, but there doesn’t appear to have been sufficient contingency planning around these in terms of increasing the pace of work, and at the same time both the council and public have been informed too late of delays, road closures and programme changes.

“When you compare this with other recently completed council infrastructure projects the performance here is simply not good enough.”

And Conservative leader on Somerset Council, Cllr Diogo Rodrigues (Con, Bridgwater East & Bawdrip), called the project “an absolute shambles”.

After the project was completed, a new one-way system was introduced in the town, which also provoked fury from many residents and businesses, who claimed it made travelling into and out of town difficult – and hit trade.

Leader of the council, Cllr Bill Revans (Lib Dem, North Petherton), said the scheme was inherited from the previous Tory administration and would be amended to deal with issues.

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