TRADE in Okehampton town centre will improve when the new Waitrose superstore opens its doors in March, according to the chamber of trade chairman.
It is believed the superstore will be the catalyst for regenerating Okehampton but it is too late for three businesses in the Red Lion Yard who shut up shop this week.
A combination of factors is thought to have led to the closures, including fewer people coming into Okehampton because of car parking problems due to the building of Waitrose.
The three stores to close are The Fish Shop, the Red Lion Yard Delicatessen, and budget clothes store 'Excel'.
But Tony Peck from Books 'R' Us in Red Lion Yard said the town had gone through a bad patch and he believed things would pick up for the traders of Red Lion Yard when Waitrose opened.
'I think the yard will be the main thoroughfare and if people can hold on just a bit longer things will turn around.
'People are always dismal but you have got to work at it a bit.'
Mr Peck said although his business had been ticking over and he benefited from having 'prime position' facing the main street, he appreciated it had been very difficult for some shopowners.
'A lot of damage has been done by messing up the car park,' he said. 'People are fed up with getting struck in traffic.
'There is plenty of car parking now but the damage has already been done'
Mr Peck said he had visited many other towns like Okehampton and every one was suffering.
'Launceston is much the same and Tavistock is not generating the business it used to. Barnstaple and Bideford are suffering too.
'It is getting easier to shop on the internet now and the mail order companies are pushing all the time.'
He said because there were fewer customers, the shops had to be more expensive but this in turn meant they lost business.
Chairman of the chamber of trade Ian Bailey said the members were concerned about any business closing and they really had to put their heads together and get some ideas for generating more people into the town.
'We are looking at Waitrose as being the catalyst for that,' he said. 'We hope people will be more inclined to shop in Okehampton as a whole and open shops in the town.
'I think we are going to have to play a waiting game for the next month or so.'
Mr Bailey said he had been in touch with the head office of economy clothing store Peacocks this week and they were 'definitely' coming to Okehampton.
The site of the new store will be the former YMCA shop.
'Once we get national stores like this coming to Okehampton it is usual that others will associate with them,' he said.
'With two nationals coming within the next few months we hope this is the start of something better for Okehampton.'