Casswells Home Hardware in Midsomer Norton High Street closed the shutters on the shop for the last time on Monday this week, with staff leaving the premises that afternoon.

The closure of the chain, run by EE Lanes of Cheddar, will mean the High Street has now lost one of its longest-running enterprises. The store has been in the High Street for over 100 years, having also served residents as a hardware store, iron mongers and builders merchants.

A spokesperson for Midsomer Norton Town Council said: “The news that Casswells Home Hardware has closed is a great loss to this town centre and will be a disappointment for the whole town. The only good news on the horizon for residents needing DIY materials is that Wickes will be opening a store at the former Focus site at Old Mills.”

Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Myers, said: “The loss of this iconic business, which has served the town for over 100 years, is a shock and is very disappointing news given the Town Council’s ambitions to stimulate regeneration in the town. Until we know more about the reasons for the closure, it would be unhelpful to say much more. But I am sure that the Town Council will look to influence any future use of this valuable and well placed site to be for retail purposes.”

A sign placed on the shutters of the shop directs any queries to Mr Robert Cundy on: 020 831 57430.

It is thought that Wickes is due to open their store around the end of September, with calls previously for a DIY store to be considered in the plans for regeneration of the site at Welton, Bibby and Baron.

The Casswells site is now one of a number at this end of Midsomer Norton’s High Street which stand empty. Swan Artworks have moved to larger, purpose-built premises on the Paulton Trading Estate, Keypress Trophies stands empty and Party Plus is now trading online while the owners concentrate on running the social side of Welton Rovers’ clubhouse. However, there are new businesses opening in the town, such as All Instruments and Pride and Groom.