Dunster and Minehead drapers in the 19th century

Until the Parade was laid out in the mid 19th century there was no clear shopping street in Minehead and shops were scattered. There was usually a general shop in Quay Street serving the harbour area and another in Higher Town but the few specialist shops were in Bampton and Friday Streets in the Lower Town. In 1830 draper Thomas Atkins had a shop in Minehead and there were three other shopkeepers there. Dunster however at the same date had ten.