Historic People

When it first opened for business, King George the Third was on the throne, Pitt the Younger was our Prime Minister, Napoleon was in charge of the French army and Nelson had just lost his arm at the Battle of Cape St Vincent.

The year was 1797.

Now 210 years on and the Thompson Brothers, the ironmongers on Bridgwater's Mount Street, has announced it will be closing.

The ironmongers was one of the best known shops in the town but the owners say they have lost too much trade to the big DIY stores which have opened nearby.

The manager, Peter Bond, who had been working there for 48 years, said the heyday for independent shops was long gone.

Earlier this year, the shop received a special commemorative Blue Plaque by the Bridgwater & District Civic Society.