BUSINESS in Bridport is as brisk as ever, traders say.

Despite a small number of empty shopfronts in the town, business owners are highly optimistic about the future of trade.

Shaun Hennessy, who owns Gunz Barbers in Weymouth, is preparing to open a new branch in Bridport, but has found available premises hard to come by.

He said: "We've found a new premises in East Street and we're planning to open in early December, but it has been difficult to secure a new shop in Bridport.

"When premises become vacant they tend to become occupied again very quickly – on several occasions it seemed like we had found somewhere, only for another business to come in at the last minute and secure the premises ahead of us.

"A number of our staff and customers at the Weymouth branch are from Bridport so it makes sense to open a barbershop there. We're just waiting for the furniture to arrive and then we're ready to go."

Another Weymouth trader will be branching out in Bridport when a pop-up furniture and lighting shop opens in East Street tomorrow (Friday, November 17).

Rex Design Shop will be based in the former George's Bakery and will be open until Christmas Eve.

Designer Rex Johnson will sell a range of unique products.

Existing business owners are also positive about trading conditions.

Alan Watts, who runs Procanvas in Gundry Lane, which sells high quality canvas prints for professional photographers and artists, says trade remains steady.

He said: "We get a fairly steady stream of customers throughout the year, though of course numbers peak during the summer season particularly, when the tourists are in town."

John Nester runs The Dorset Pedlar in South Street with his wife Jo.

He said: "Some months will always be busier than others, but we get a good number of tourists and local customers, and we can open from 10am until 4pm if we want to and still remain profitable.

"Bridport is a unique town which will always be attractive to shoppers."