Shepton Mallet Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these businesses and organisations regularly in a feature called 'Up Close in Shepton Mallet'.

We caught up with Arabella Browne, financial controller at Burton Sweet in Shepton Mallet. In this feature, she talks about how she is involved with local businesses as a financial controller, and how she would like to see The Amulet building become a vibrant part of the local community.

• ****

Have you always lived in the Shepton Mallet are and, if not, what were the key considerations about moving here?

I came to the area when my family moved down here from the South East in the 1970s and have stayed here ever since. I love living in the countryside, I wouldn't want to give up the quality of life we enjoy here.

Tell us a bit about your personal business background Arabella and how you ended up working for Burton Sweet?

I worked for many years as the financial controller in an advertising company. When I left them to have my children I started working part-time as a bookkeeper as the work was easy to fit in around family responsibilities, but as they got older I was able to return to full-time work again and joined Burton Sweet three years ago.

The firm and I knew each other well as I had been doing the bookkeeping for a number of their clients!

What do you like about Shepton Mallet? How are you involved in the local community?

Shepton is a really friendly little town, the people here really make it what it is. I enjoyed many years as a PTA treasurer when my children were at school, although that's a role I have handed on now.

I think it's important that voluntary organisations are able to draw on a succession of help, otherwise people are afraid of volunteering in case they get trapped for life! The local schools are good at encouraging new people to get involved, which is great.

You work as a financial controller - what does this mean, and why should people work with one?

I work with a wide range of clients, providing anything from periodic bookkeeping to acting as their part-time on-site financial controller, overseeing every aspect of their finances - day-to-day bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, credit control and management reporting. I enjoy getting close to a client's business so I can understand what they do and how best to help them keep their finances under control.

Most small businesses can't afford to employ their own in-house accountant, so that's where I come in. As an independent outsider I can often help resolve issues that those within the business are unable or unwilling to resolve themselves.

Sometimes being able to provide the business owner with the right financial information at the right time can be a real light bulb moment for them, and that's very rewarding for me.

What other businesses do you like and use in Shepton Mallet?

I love Dredge and Male in the High Street, they have everything you need - I know if anyone will have it, they will!

I always go to Phillips Tyres too - garages and the like can be quite intimidating places for a woman, but Phillips are really friendly and always make me feel welcome. Of course, I also love the independent arts and gifts shops in Shepton Mallet!

The lockdown was very difficult for many people - how do you think that Shepton Mallet as a town coped?

I think the people here showed a wonderful community spirit. There was a real sense that people were looking out for one another.

I know it has been a really difficult time for many businesses, especially those in the pub/restaurant/leisure sector but I think there are really positive signs that the town is bouncing back now.

If there was one thing in the town you would change, what would it be?

I'd love to see The Amulet become a vibrant part of the local community. It would be great to see it re-open as a community cinema and theatre, it is such an important building it's a shame it's so under-used.

Shepton Mallet and the area around it is beautiful - what is your favourite place and why?

One of my favourite places is Withial Coombe, a nature reserve run by Somerset Wildlife Trust near West Pennard. It's a haven for wildlife, especially birds and flowers, a great place for family walks with a beautiful waterfall at the end of the reserve.

If you could choose an actor to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be and why?

That's such a difficult question! Maybe Meghan Markle?

• ****

You can visit the Burton Sweet website here.

• ****

See some of our other UP CLOSE Shepton Mallet profiles:

Nick Marsh, owner of Denela's Bakery

Mathew Tavener, Evercreech and Pilton Co-op store manager

Christo Nicolle, tarot reader and Somerset Bicycle Workshop owner

Ian Byworth, CEO of Citizens Advice Mendip

Karen Mercer, owner of My Coffee Stop

Would you like to be the subject of an UP CLOSE profile or do you know someone who we should feature? Contact [email protected].

Burton Sweet is a Shepton Mallet Nub News sponsor. Without community-minded partners like Burton Sweet we would not be able to produce the locally-relevant, clickbait-free news to the people of Shepton Mallet.