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A few businesses have also left Taunton for new pastures in 2024 for different reasons. READ MORE: Somerset County Gazette subscription deal last chance READ MORE: Lamb and Flag pub, near Taunton, changing ownership READ MORE: 7 Taunton businesses that have left the town in 2024 Some honourable mentions of new Taunton businesses which opened in 2024 that we haven't mentioned include Baan Thai restaurant and the reopening of the Coal Orchard - which are both family-run. The Somerset Buffet also appeared in Heron Gate replacing the former Somerset Masala restaurant in October 2024.
The Cornish Bakery opened in Taunton in October 2024. (Image: Veronica Roach) Address: 7 Fore St, Taunton, TA1 1HX. The Cornish Bakery, a company first started in Mevagissey, opened for the first time on October 1 in a ribbon-cut event held by the mayor of Taunton, Vanessa Garside.
The bakery comes with many plaudits including a hard-to-please food critic, Giles Coren, who wrote about his discovery of The Cornish Bakery at the Taunton Deane services kiosk. Koottaan opened in Taunton's independent quarter in September 2024. (Image: Newsquest) Address: 52-53 St James St, Taunton TA1 1JH Koottaan's location in Taunton's Independent Quarter, St James Street, officially opened in September 2024 after a "soft launch" earlier this year.
It serves Keralan-inspired takeaway and dine-in dishes, as well as traditional drinks including Indian Chai from just £1 and Lassis from £3.50. It is open for traditional Indian breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9am until 10pm.
Desparia opened on Station Road in Taunton in July. (Image: Newsquest) Address: 85 Station Rd, Taunton, TA1 1PB. Set up on 85 Station Road, this 'little shop of horrors' offers something there is a lack of in Taunton - especially since 'Party On' closed in 2018.
Despairia is a horror-themed shop that mainly sells merchandise related to horror films such as figures, masks, pins, plushies, bags and framed pictures. The owner, Lydia Lee-Smith, says some of the stock is handmade and some of it has been imported. Somerset Bakehouse opened on Lisieux Way in Taunton in December 2024.
(Image: Newsquest) Address: 47-50 Fore St, Taunton TA1 1NE. Somerset Bakehouse opened up for business next to the Sue Ryder charity shop on Lisieux Way in December. The main branch of the business is based in Bridgwater and was crowned 'The Best' West Country Bakers for 2017/18.
This new shop location now makes it five bakeries owned in Somerset for Somerset Bakehouse, with undoubtedly more to follow in the next few years. The new Toys'R'us opened in Taunton's WHSmiths in August 2024. (Image: Newsquest) Address: 47-50 Fore St, Taunton TA1 1NE.
Toys ‘R’ Us opened inside WHSmiths earlier this year with goody bags available for the first 50 children who visited the launch event on August 31. In attendance was Geoffrey the Giraffe, who joined the WHSmith team for an official ribbon cutting in the morning and gave the children lots of hugs and high-fives. Drippy Bear Tattoo Studio opened on Station Road in November 2024.
(Image: Newsquest) Address: 67 Station Rd, Taunton TA1 1PA. Owned by Jasmine Jas Ding Singh, the Drippy Bear Tattoo Studio is advertised as a tattoo and piercing shop. Reviews have already been recorded as very positive on Google, with Drippy Bear Tattoo Studio currently holding a 4.
9 star rating out of five online. Islands Carribean restaurant opened in April 2024. (Image: Newsquest) Address: 14 Bath Pl, Taunton, TA1 4EP.
Opening in April 2024, Islands Carribean Restaurant is a family-run business, owned by Taunton locals Emma and Richard Cummins, that serves authentic Caribbean food, including their “iconic” Curry Goat and Jerk Up Chicken. The business also offers cocktails, drinks, and desserts - including rum cake..
