A “VAST improvement” to some of Weston-super-Mare’s Victorian storefronts is hoped to bring new businesses and footfall to the town’s high street, a top local councillor has said.

North Somerset Council recently submitted a planning application to revamp several storefronts on the high street: numbers 57, 67, and 69 or, as they are better known to Westonians, the former Fone Zone, fone fixers and the vacant former “H Samuel”.

A full refurbishment of number 73 — currently Weston Artspace — is planned to but does not require planning permission.

The work is being funded through the £20m that the town has gained from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Mark Canniford, the executive councillor responsible for placemaking and the local councillor for Weston-super-Mare Hillside, said: “I’m pleased to see these proposals being submitted for planning approval.

“If approved, the work would see vast improvement to more Victorian buildings in the heart of Weston’s town centre. With Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone ending this month, it’s really encouraging to see that we’re continuing the legacy of that scheme through sympathetic enhancement of more shopfronts.

“This project would not only make a positive difference to the buildings’ physical appearance but would encourage businesses to occupy a previously empty unit, encouraging more footfall and trade into the town.”

The work will replace alterations to the original Victorian buildings with modern yet timber based storefronts.

Carter Jones have been appointed by the council to carry out the work, which the council hope will be completed by the end of the year, if planning permission is granted.

At the former Fone Zone, they will remove the existing shopfront, signage and roller shutter door, and replace the shopfront. Meanwhile, the shops housing Fone Zone and the former H Samuel will be joined together, removing the roller shutter door at Fone Zone and replacing both shopfronts with a new double bay shopfront.

The work will also include installing energy efficiency improvements to help new occupiers offset premises costs.

Other projects that the Levelling Up funding is set to pay for in the town include some of the Birnbeck Pier restoration, turning the Tropicana into an 8k capacity venue, revamping Grove Park, and improving the marine lake.

You can view and comment on the planning application here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SA6MPXLPKEX00