For newcomers to Bridgwater in search of a home take note: the town is divided into east and west. East is cheaper than the more affluent west although according to Nick Hale of Wilkie, May and Tuckwood things are changing.

“There was a bigger divide between the east and the west,” he said, “about ten years ago but prices are much closer now. A three bed semi would range from £150,000 to £180,000 depending on where they are. But Durleigh and Wembdon on the west side of town compete with the prices around Taunton. Bridgwater has always been considered cheaper than Taunton but now there are areas that are on a par with it.”

Bridgwater is going through an unprecedented growth spurt not seen in its long history. The estate agent are working with Somerfield said Mr Hale on a site on Durleigh Road to market 120 homes, some with four bedrooms, lying next to a large park. In other parts of town homes are going up off the Bristol Road, to the south towards North Petherton and nearby in Cannington.

“Bridgwater’s always been a working town rather than a white collar town,” said Mr Hale, “but now that’s changed and we are overtaking Taunton with growth and there are more opportunities than the county town.”

The estate agent based in Bridgwater opposite the Carnival Inn has steadily grown along with the town with eight branches around the area since the firm began in 1985. Despite the changes with the internet the company are still loyal to advertising properties in The Mercury because it works.

“There are properties we have that aren’t on the net,” he said, “they may go in the Mercury before we put them on the web, and it’s something we always sell to our clients, you’ve got to look in the Mercury, as people sometimes pick up something in the paper quicker than on the internet.”

For first time buyers Bridgwater is still a place where first time buyers can get themselves on the property ladder with older terraced houses still under £100,000 if the new owners can do a bit of DIY on it. There is a new Government scheme say the estate agent that gives first time buyers a chance to buy their own homes.

The firm have recently revamped their interior embracing what Mr Hales describes as the town’s “beautiful architecture” adorning the walls. A huge print of the Cornhill back in the day makes the point that although things are changing in Bridgwater, reassuringly places like the Cornhill stay looking the same.

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