Historic shop sign uncovered in Weston-super-Mare during renovation

Cara McMahon asked anyone who knows about Baker & Atkins Confectionary to get in touch

A historic shopfront sign, believed to be about 100 years old, has been uncovered during a shop renovation.

The work was found by the High Street Heritage Action Zone team on a building on Walliscote Road, Weston-super-Mare.

They are breathing new life into the town's 20th Century buildings through repair and finding new uses for them.

Heritage officer Cara McMahon said: "We think it is pre-1959 because we've seen photographs of what the shop was in 1959 and also in the 70s."

The sign says Baker & Atkins Confectionery and is painted with 3D shading on the letters and decorative emblems with the lettering painted directly onto a structural beam.

Ms McMahon said: "We're asking if anyone has any knowledge of Baker & Atkins Confectionary, whether they were in Weston, [or] anything about them."

Ms McMahon said they have preserved the sign so it is there for people to find in another hundred years

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for Heritage Action Zones, said the sign was found by builders.

"Unfortunately it's so well embedded that if we took it out the building might fall down and we can't leave it there... or hold up the work because the building is being completely finished."

Ms McMahon said: "We've had to box in the sign, we've preserved it so it's there for people to find in another hundred years."

They have taken photographs which will be presented alongside other findings by the High Street Heritage Action Zone during renovation work.

Ms McMahon said the signage was beautifully painted and in a surprising twist, the 3D hand painted style of the sign is similar to designs used now.