FOUR High Street buildings in Weston-super-Mare are set to be refurbished as part of efforts to attract more businesses to the town.

Work is starting today (November 11) to restore and bring back into use the former Fone Zone, Fone Fixers, 69 High Street and Weston Artspace buildings, with North Somerset Council hoping the improvements will result in businesses stepping forward to occupy the vacant units.

The improvements include:

• 57 High Street (previously Fone Zone) – The existing shopfront, signage and roller shutter door removed and the shopfront replaced.
• 67 (previously Fone Fixers) and 69 High Street – The two units will be joined together following advice to the council that this would increase appeal from prospective occupiers. The roller shutter is set to be removed at 67 and both shopfronts will be replaced with a new double bay shopfront.
• 73 High Street previously Weston Artspace – This building will be refurbished to attract occupiers to create jobs in the town, with the render repaired on the front and back of the building, as well as making improvements to the interior.

All units will also see energy efficiency improvements to help offset premises costs for the potential new occupiers.

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Planning permission is needed for the work to 57, 67 and 69 High Street – the details of which can be found on the planning section of North Somerset Council website, using reference 24/P/0514/R3.

The former Fone Zone building Picture: North Somerset Council

The work, paid for by a £20m grant from government, is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for placemaking, said: “It’s encouraging to see this work starting as it will see vast improvement to more Victorian buildings in the heart of Weston’s town centre.

“I’m delighted that following a thorough procurement process that we’ve been able to appoint Bristol-based contractor Bray & Slaughter to carry out the work.

“This project will not only make a positive difference to the buildings’ physical appearance but will encourage businesses to occupy previously empty units, boosting footfall and trade in the town. This builds upon the work carried out under the Historic England-funded High Street Heritage Action Zone work, which ending in March.”

Grant Jefferies, managing director of Bray & Slaughter, said: “It’s exciting to be afforded the opportunity to breathe life back into these buildings and collaborate with the best local suppliers from North Somerset. We look forward to delivering this project for the community of Weston-super-Mare.”

To find out more about the improvement programme in Weston, visit the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/improvingweston.