PORTISHEAD has seen a six-figure investment in the centre of its High Street.

Independent family footwear retailer Solelution has moved from 114 to 62 High Street after spending several months transforming a former patisserie into a modern, spacious shoe shop.

Owner Tanya Marriott said: “It is wonderful to be in the centre of Portishead High Street, right in the hub of the other retail outlets.

“The larger premises also mean we can keep a much wider range of stock which will help us to continue to meet the needs of the growing local community.

“In addition we have expanded our staff team, who are all trained to measure feet, fit shoes and provide advice, to ensure all our customers are well looked after.”

Mum-of-two Tanya says when designing the shop the commercial history of 62 High Street was very much on her mind and she was keen for the shop front to remain in keeping with adjacent shops.

The building is where Thomas Coles founded a haulage business in 1895 before moving on to set up what is now Tudor Garage, a family-run business that is still operating at 51 High Street.

More recently the premises housed a bakery and café which operated for more than 30 years until it closed in 2012.

Tanya added: “Since the café closed the outlet has been boarded up, creating an eyesore, so it is with great pleasure we were able to give the place a facelift and remove the boards to create a presence in the town centre.”