Local charity, PEOPLE, has said a fond farewell to Radstock, having been a feature in the town since 2005. Originally based in what is now the fruit and vegetable shop on The Street, the charity later moved to its current, larger premises, opposite Radco.

But the charity says trade in the town has been difficult to come by. Having hoped that they were out of the worst of it, now that Linden Homes have finished building in the town, shop volunteers found that trade was not returning.

A spokesperson for PEOPLE said: “The shop is in a wonderful position, but Radstock is effectively a drive-through these days. Parking is difficult, and this has not helped matters.

“We are taking less now than when we started the shop. We genuinely hoped with the regeneration, that trade would increase. Volunteers kept a running diary of who was visiting, but trade in the town seems to be dying.

“It’s such a shame. Radstock has lots of potential and the building was long overdue; but Radstock has become a housing estate. There’s no infrastructure.

“However, we have much to be thankful for. We have helped so many people over the years, with thanks to our wonderful volunteers.

“We would also like to thank our customers who have supported us and for the kind comments that we have so frequently received about the shop. We hope they will follow us to Midsomer Norton.”

Trading will continue at PEOPLE in 55a High Street, Midsomer Norton, and new initiatives will be running from the shop as a result. As of February, opening times will increase to 5 p.m., with a ten-mile collection and delivery facility operating. Volunteers in Radstock will be helping out at Midsomer Norton, where the team look forward to welcoming new and existing customers.

Loyal original volunteer, Stella, (pictured seated), told The Journal how community-based Radstock had felt when she first began at the shop. She said: “I used to love it, because you would meet people that you hadn’t seen for ages.”

The PEOPLE charity was formed in 2002, to provide ex-offenders with positive learning environments. The charity helps with supported housing, and is committed to reintegrating people back into communities with mentoring and support. Most recently, the charity has been taking part in a winter warming campaign, creating packs of socks, gloves and scarves, and distributing to the homeless across the area, or indeed, anyone in need. They plan to run a different campaign in the summer for local children and their families.

The charity has also been providing material to a local dressmaker, who has created 96 dresses for refugees so far.

There is also a recording and rehearsal space for keen musicians at the base in Midsomer Norton – and all of the money raised by the charity goes back into this supportive work, and its housing and outreach projects.

But with less grant-making bodies around and Town and Parish Councils left with less money to help, the charity says support is needed now more than ever by local customers.