THE OWNER of a Burnham-on-Sea linen shop which has been in business for more than a quarter of a century has announced the store is set to close.

Steve Scott, owner of S & Linens on High Street said he is 'sad' to close the store but says he can't compete with websites and large stores which sell a wide selection of fabrics.

"It is with regret that I have decided to close our last remaining S&A Linen shop.

"Over the past 27 years it has served us well and I hope it has been an asset to our town.

"Unfortunately, for us, the linen trade has been subject to a level of competition not experienced before.

"When I opened S&A Linens, 27 years ago, the main competition was from small family owned shops, similar to ourselves, such as Sharps of Bridgwater, Taunton, Weston & Exeter, Browns of Weston and Hoopers of Bridgwater all of which have now closed.

"Nowadays, we have the likes of Dunelm, John Lewis, Next and the Range with massive out-of-town stores displaying their offerings in bright well lit modern surroundings.

"Because of their size, customers tend to think they are cheap. They do offer good value, but in many cases no better than we have. They just “do it better.

"It is a testament to Burnham, and our staff that this linen shop has been one of the last if not the last of it’s type to survive in Somerset" he said.

The businessman also owned S&A Linens shops in Taunton, Wellington, Minehead, Wells and Clevedon but these too have been affected by the increase in online trade.

Mr Scott said he doesn't believe that B&M Bargains, which opened in the town in 2016 has affected his business but said the store has been bringing 'the wrong type of customer' to the town.

He added: "The internet has affected us, but not as much as you may think.

"The reason we have decided to close is simply the lack of our type of customer since Morrisons closed.

"Our High Street is still bustling with people, day visitors and holiday makers fill our town but the locals doing their weekly shop have had to go out of our high street.

"I hope that some other business will thrive in our premises, a business offering what today’s society wants from a high street.

"We would like to say a very sincere thank you to all of our customers and our wonderful staff for their custom and loyalty over the years.

"Although I am closing S&A Linens, new ranges of nets & ready made curtains will soon be available in the carpet and flooring section at Scott’s Furnishings.

"I don't want to close S&A Linens, but accept it is no good banging your head against the wall."

There will be a final closing down sale at the store on Saturday, July 1 but a closing date has not yet been set for the stores closure.