Dunster and Minehead drapers and shopkeepers

Until the 19th century Dunster was more important as a retail centre than Minehead. Dunster mercers were recorded from the 15th to 19th centuries and haberdashers and linendrapers were in business there from the 16th and 17th centuries. 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 in the town. Dunster at the same date had ten drapers and grocers. Dunster had a long history of shopkeeping mainly in High and West Streets.