TRADERS in Dawlish have received a thumbs up from fellow businesspeople in Taunton.

One trader from the Somerset town paid a visit to Dawlish to meet one of the local business owners and was impressed with what they saw.

During the Dawlish Day Trip, the visitor’s first experience of the seaside resort proved a big hit.

The town’s ‘quirky features’, scenery and even the toilets came in for a positive review.

The visitor had made contact with one of the Dawlish small business owners through social media for Taunton Independent Quarter.

They said: ‘Supporting small independent shops doesn’t stop in your own town when you shop local you shop local wherever you are.

‘I took a business trip to Dawlish to meet with one of the small business owners there and whilst I was there. I very much enjoyed shopping local and meeting some of the other small shop owners.

‘I haven’t been to Dawlish before so it was great to go with a fresh perspective, take in the quirky features, appreciate it’s unique selling points and enjoy the town alongside the sea air and change of scenery.

‘It’s great to see how the business community are working together much like we do in Taunton, we can all learn from each other during a time when having a small business on the high street is challenging.

‘Thank you all for your friendly welcome.’

The town’s toilets also came in for a positive mention.

The visitor said two of the photos posted were of the town’s ‘impressive’ toilets and suggested they could be an idea for Taunton Town Council.

The reaction from the Taunton trader has come as a boost for traders in Dawlish.

Dawlish Chamber of Commerce chairman Colin Joliffe said: ‘We are delighted to hear about the recent visit from a Taunton business owner to our charming town of Dawlish.

‘Their experience beautifully captures the essence of what makes our community special.

‘Supporting small independent shops is a cornerstone of our local economy, and it’s heartening to see this spirit extend beyond town borders.

‘The connections made through social media platforms like the Taunton Independent Quarter are a testament to the power of community and collaboration.

‘Our visitor’s journey through Dawlish highlights the unique offerings of our local businesses.

‘The warm welcome they received from our business community is something we pride ourselves on.

‘In these challenging times for high street businesses, learning from each other and supporting one another is more important than ever. We are grateful for the positive feedback and the encouragement for others to discover Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

‘On a lighter note, we appreciate the mention of our town’s impressive public facilities.

Thank you to the Taunton business owner for their visit and for sharing their wonderful experience.

‘We look forward to welcoming more visitors and continuing to support our vibrant local businesses.’