It is a tale of two neighbouring streets. One is a thriving road filled with bustling independent stores and cafes, the other more down-at-heel, with more than half a dozen boarded-up shops. The remarkable contrast between Earsham Street and St Mary's Street, which both meet by the Butter Cross in the middle of Bungay, is the focus of much discussion in the town, with fierce debate about what can be done to 'level up' the southern side of the centre.
Both are attractive streets with similar parking and buildings. But Earsham Street, which features cafes, a deli, fishmongers and greengrocers has been named among the best places for independent businesses by the Telegraph newspaper. The old White Swan Pub and the old Martins newsagents boarded up on St Mary's Street (Image: Bruno Brown) Four Season's Home and Garden Shop recently closed in St Mary's Street (Image: Bruno Brown) By contrast, St Mary's Street has a number of charity shops and chain outlets as well as a high turnover of stores, with many currently boarded up.
'THE TOWN IS SPLIT' Locals say the street has less of the vibrancy found just up the road on Earsham Street, which they say enjoys a greater sense of identity and community, meaning people come from miles to browse its shops. Among them is Richard Seel, a retired BBC producer. Richard Seel outside of the Little Green Wholefood Store on Earsham Street (Image: Bruno Brown) "We drive to Bungay from Chedgrave to do our shopping here on Earsham Street and we think .
