WESTON Makers pop-up shop at the Tropicana is closing – but is looking for a new home.

The store, featuring products created by dozens of town gift makers, artists and more, opened in June last year.

Initially intended to be in residence at the venue for three months, it is still going strong almost a year on.

However, with work set to begin soon on the redevelopment of the Tropicana, the outlet is set to close. But glass artist and Weston Makers founder Emily Belsham said the initiative is determined to continue – and is looking for a new home.

“It’s a sad time for me at the moment as we need to be out of our wonderful Weston Makers shop at the Tropicana at the end of April for building work to start on the Complex,” she said.

“It makes me cry. We have loved every minute of being there and the shop just looks so amazing and is loved by so many.

“So I am busy looking for a new place for us to move to. There are lots of empty shops about in Weston but it’s not proving as easy as I thought.”

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Emily said she wanted to preserve the store and keep it running “for the wonderful community I have built at the shop”, and customers reacted to the post with support for the venture.

“It’s truly been an amazing shop with equally amazing people making it possible,” said one. “I give huge, huge thanks to all who volunteered and to Emily for all her continuous efforts that kept this going as long as it did, you’re a legend.”

The seafront Tropicana is set to undergo a multi-million pound makeover to improve facilities.

In January, North Somerset Council (NSC) was awarded more than £2.5 million for the scheme from the government which it said would enable the venue to be ‘reinvented’.

Cllr Mike Solomon, executive member for culture and leisure, said at the time: “I’m delighted that our bid has been approved – well done to council officers for all their hard work in making this happen.

“This funding will enable us to work with a venue operator to further secure the long-term viability of the site as a culture and entertainment venue.

“The much-loved Tropicana is a key destination at the heart of Weston’s seafront. Reinventing this iconic landmark building will create new jobs, support local businesses and deliver a year-round experience-led economy for the future.

“We want to attract higher profile acts, culture and entertainment events to elevate Weston’s place within the regional, national and international scene.”

However, the project means the Weston Makers pop-up will have to relocate.