Despite the recent easing of restrictions, we remain deep into the coronavirus lockdown, and Shepton Mallet residents are doing their bit to make sure the spread of Covid-19 is kept to a minimum.

In a bid to get things back to normality, local businesses in Shepton Mallet are calling for more clarity from the government to help them through the crisis.

The government has now announced that Mendip District Council will receive more than £102,000 to help it boost high streets, such as the one in Shepton Mallet, and district councillor Garfield Kennedy and vowed to fight to get as much of that as possible for the town.

A number of events in the town have been called off, including the NASS Festival at the nearby Bath and West Showground.

Building contractor Melhuish and Saunders is offering free installation of health protection equipment to schools preparing to reopen.

Shepton Mallet residents are showing resilience and continuing to go about their work and look after their families in as safe a way as possible.

To help make sure there is a place where everyone can access information, this article aims to inform residents about everything they need to know regarding the crisis.

It will be constantly updated, so if you would like to add any information, or correct any information that has become out-of-date, please email [email protected].

The aim is to make this article as comprehensive as possible, so please do get in touch with anything you would like to add.

What's Open

Grove House Surgery - they are taking precautionary measures to minimise unnecessary face-to-face contact to protect both patients and staff. Clinicians will assess all patients first by telephone appointment. Appointments: 01749 342863. Urgent calls: 01749 342314.

Park Medical Practice - they have moved to a same day system of appointments. Call 01749 334383.

Tesco - opening times: Monday to Saturday 8am to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm. Social distancing queuing system in operation. Queue from the back of the store (near the bakery). Vulnerable customers' "priority hour" on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 9am to 10am for the elderly and vulnerable. Dedicated shopping time on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am to 10am for NHS workers, along with browsing hour on Sundays.

Aldi - opening times: Monday to Saturday 8am to 8am, Sunday 10am to 4pm. No specific opening times for key workers. Maximum of 50 customers in store at once.

McColl's - opening times: seven days a week 7am to 10pm.

Co-op - opening times: seven days a week, 8am to 8pm.

ABC Polish Shop - opening times: Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday 11am to 9.30pm, Saturday 11am to 9.30pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Kasia Polish Shop - opening times: Monday to Saturday 8am to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 8pm.

Jones Convenience Store - opening times: every day, 7am to 9pm.

Boots Pharmacy (Townsend) - opening times: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Boots Pharmacy (Park Medical Practice) - opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm, Sunday closed.

Denelas - bread, milk, cakes and savouries deliveries. Order by: phone/card only. Minimum spend: £10. Order to be placed by 3pm the day before. Tel: 07849 139968. Also, shop is open from 8am to 3pm, sandwich bar closes at 2pm.

My Coffee Stop - general groceries and healthy essentials delivered. Order by email. Pre-paid pick-up and free delivery within walking distance of 34 High Street, Shepton Mallet. [email protected]. You can also via via this link.

Peppers - dairy, bread, eggs, meat, fruit, vegetables and homemade savouries delivered. Order by: phone and card only. Delivery charge: free. Minimum spend: £5. Tel: 01749 346640.

Ciabattinos Pizza - pizza, desserts and drinks deliveries. Order by: phone or online. Delivery charge: free. Minimum order: £7. Hours of business: closed Monday. Tel: 01749 344717.

Domino's Pizza - pizza, drinks and sides deliveries. Order by: phone/card. Delivery charge: free (no collection). Tel: 01749 347878.

Hong King Garden - Chinese takeaway at 14 High Street, Shepton Mallet. Temporary opening hours: Fridays and Saturdays 4.30pm to 10pm, 30 per cent discount to NHS staff. Limited to only one customer in premises at any one time. Tel: 01749 342485.

Mughal Empire - Indian takeaway. Order by phone and pay by card. Collection only from 2 Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet. Opening hours: 5pm to 8.30pm Monday to Saturday. Tel: 01749 346963.

Rams - Kebab and pizza. Order by: phone. Minimum order: £10 for Shepton. Delivery charge: free. Delivery hours: 5pm to 11pm every day. Tel: 07770 761816.

Rosemary Greek Restaurant - Greek dishes and pizza from 19 High Street, Shepton Mallet as takeaways. Orders more than £50 they will deliver. Open everyday 5pm to 9pm, 50 per cent off for police and NHS. Limited menu. Tel: 01749 346667.

Shepton Brasserie - limited takeaway menu. Meals supplied ready to eat or heat at home from 66 High Street, Shepton Mallet. Opening hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Tel: 01749 343579.

Shepton Kebabs - takeaway meals. Order by: phone and card or online. Tel: 01749 343443.

Sunrise Chinese Takeaway - Chinese food from 6 Commercial Road, Shepton Mallet. Phone orders/contactless payment/collection only. Hours of business: 4.30pm to 9pm. Orders taken from 4pm. Tel: 01749 344070.

Whitstone's - offering a completely contact-free collection and delivery service with a slightly reduced menu and daily specials. Tel: 01749 344600.

Fairy Godmother Sweet Delivery - Delivery Tuesdays and Fridays. Order via Facebook page here.

The Pink Hedgehog - cupcakes, cakes and celebration cakes. Delivery charge: free. No minimum spend. Hours of business: 10am to 4pm. Tel: 01749 572107.

MG Plant Hire - Digger hire at competitive prices. Fast and reliable service.

Sprayline Ltd - Accident repair specialist - insurance work undertaken - Honda approved repair site. They are at this time open as usual and we will remain so for as long as they can.

Sarah's Marketing Creations - Sarah specialises in helping small to medium sized local independent businesses with their marketing, both online and offline.

My Big Hndyman - still working - following safety guidelines.

The Somerset Bicycle Workshop - Repair and service of all bicycle types. Currently operating strict social distancing and hygiene.

Harris Paws - helping with any pet related needs you have, walking dogs, boarding small animals, taking your pet to the vet, etc.

WH Valeting and Tyre Services - still open and will continue to sell new and part worn tyres to customers. Their car valeting service is also still available to anyone who needs their car cleaned.

JTFIT - Personal Training - currently still open for 1-2-1 clients at this moment. Will be offering home workouts and online training to help get people through this tough time.

Right Price DIY - open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Closed Sunday (until further notice). They continue to take phone orders, pay by card and collect from the gate - until further notice. Tel: 01749 345042.

Bumblez - delivering for free locally, order through their Facebook page.

Christopher Young Opticians - open for emergencies, contact the shop to book.

What's Closed

Slimming World - groups are shut until further notice, contact them if you would like more info.

The Mendip Business Awards, which were due to have their finals night at the Bath and West Showground, have been cancelled.

The Glastonbury Festival site - organisers of the event have asked the public to not visit Worthy Farm in Pilton during the lockdown.

Who to contact for help

Somerset County Council - Coronavirus Hotline (open daily 8am-6pm) 0300 790 6275. Adult Social Care, Children's Services, Highways - 0300 123 2224

Mendip District Council - Council Tax, Benefits, Business Rates and Other Financial Help 0300 303 8588. The council has announced extra tax relief for vulnerable residents during the crisis.

Shepton Mallet Town Council - call 0800 061 4089. Town clerk - [email protected].

Where to join in local volunteer efforts

Shepton Mallet Coronavirus Network - you will find many sources of help here, from advice from government agencies and the NHS to on the ground help from local volunteers.

Shepton Mallet Coronavirus Support Site - More than 175 volunteers that live in and around Shepton Mallet. They are all on hand to be called upon to help people who are self-isolating during this time. They offer many services to provide assistance to you, when you need it. Services such as essential shopping, prescription delivery, dog walking and phone support if you just need a friendly chat. If you would like to volunteer, visit this page.

Want to add something to this list?

If you have some information you would like to be added to this article, please email [email protected].

Updated: 25th May 2020