Taunton MP, Gideon Amos, has praised ‘resilient’ local businesses as data shows that new business registrations across Somerset, and footfall in the county town, have both increased this year.
The news comes as iwoca’s Business Hotspots 2025 list revealed that 1,612 new businesses were registered in Somerset between January and June, according to Companies House data.
Somerset saw a 167% increase in business registrations compared with 2024 – one of just three local authorities nationwide where registrations increased compared with last year.
In Taunton, data is showing, year to date, that the town has seen an increase of 2.1% in weekly footfall compared with 2024.
That is greater than the UK average of 0.5% and painting a different picture to the rest of the South West which has seen a decrease in footfall of 2.9%.
Mr Amos, who recently spoke in a debate in the House of Commons on the hospitality sector, is pleased with the data.
He said: “It is no secret that businesses are up against it across the country - the increase in National Insurance for employers, the tax on jobs, has made it harder than ever to run a business.
“It is great to see that, despite the difficulties Somerset is one of only three places where business registrations have increased.
“We are also lucky to have such resilient local businesses, including a range of independent shops which are putting Taunton on the map. In these economic conditions, it is fantastic that we have seen an increase in footfall this year”
Susie Thomas, owner of the Rocket and Bird gift shop in the Taunton Independent Quarter, has been a fierce advocate for Taunton’s shops and runs the quarter’s social media page which has seen significant growth this year.
Susie reported that, in the past three months, she has received over four million views on Facebook and increased the number of followers by 25% to more than 7,800.
She added: “We have had the best summer in over six years at Rocket and Bird – the increase in customers has been noticeable and other shop owners have been saying the same thing.
“Despite many people’s perceptions, Taunton has an amazing range of shops, cafés, and restaurants and we need to appreciate that more.”
Mr Amos added: “Shop owners like Susie, along with hoteliers, publicans and restaurateurs are the lifeblood of our town and they need to be celebrated as well as supported.
“With the Budget coming up, it is simple. Reverse the hike to the jobs tax and replace the broken business rates system, then we will see town centres across the country thrive.
"I will continue to do everything I can to bring inward investment and more business activity to our area and particularly to our town centres in Taunton and Wellington.”
