Calls for Burnham shops to extend opening hours

A shopkeeper has called on fellow retailers to consider extending their opening hours in a bid to boost trade in Burnham.

Many village traders reported a successful Christmas period but further tough times are expected to hit High Streets nationwide throughout 2012.

Hungry Pets opened in Burnham High Street in October and although owner Jill Bellamy says business has been better than expected since then, she feels some shops could do more to maximise their income.

"Since opening here things have been 100 times better than I thought they'd be and the response has been lovely. The only thing I'd say is that too many shops shut early and aren't open long enough," she said.

Jill, who opened the pet food store after manning a stall at the Wednesday market for a year, said a couple from Arizona had also made the observation while in her shop during the week leading up to Christmas.

"They'd been visiting Windsor and wanted to look round a traditional village so came to Burnham, but they said half the shops were shut," she said.

Burnham High Street Association chairman Paul Sherriff said: "It's disappointing when shops close early but it could be that there's no business for them beyond certain times."