STEPS are being taken to fill two prominent empty shops in Market Street, Crewkerne.

The sale of the Woolworths store is likely to go through within the next week, and a cycle and car accessory store is opening at Number 10 on Saturday 1 August.

Servu, which also has a shop in Chard, is moving from Princes Street in Yeovil to Crewkerne, taking over a former hair salon which has been a charity shop for a year.

Company advertising manager Beki West said: "We have decided to relocate to Crewkerne because the premises offer a fantastic opportunity. It has some lovely, massive windows which lend themselves to displays.

"The shop in Yeovil was not really suitable for bikes, but Crewkerne is. There is nowhere else around like it. Bike sales have been increasing at our shops because people are cycling and walking a lot more.

"People are thinking about their health and fitness more and more cycle paths are opening. Car-part sales have also been increasing, as people are saving money by doing their own work to cars.

"We hope our store will give Crewkerne a boost."

Offers in excess of £250,000 are being sought for the former Woolworths premises by Yeovil estate agency Humberts, whose commercial director David Foot said: "Woolworths will inevitably go to an investor, somebody who will buy it and find tenants.

"We have got various offers and it is up to the vendor to chose which one to accept. We are hopeful that a deal will be concluded by the end of this month."

The store closed in January after the national chain went into administration. It had been there for 51 years.

Crewkerne and District Chamber of Commerce vice-chairman Alison Farrow said: "It is fantastic news that Servu is moving into such a prominent unit. It will be great to have a boost from such a shop.

"I think it is great that an established business is relocating to Crewkerne and, hopefully, it will mean their customers visiting from Yeovil will stop and have a look around town.

"If the former Woolworths store is filled as well, that will be fantastic. I think it is a sign that things are picking up."

Mayor Hilary Leamon said: "Obviously I am delighted that new shopkeeper faces are coming to Crewkerne.

"A cycling shop will be an excellent one to open as we had to always go to Yeovil or Chard to get bike parts. I hope it will bring more people in.

"Waitrose is a superb site and is bringing people in, and now we need to find ways to ensure that its shoppers visit the rest of the town."