Shepton charity plans restaurant start-up hub on Town Street

By Laura Linham 19th Oct 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

A Shepton Mallet charity has acquired 19 Town Street and says it is developing the building into a restaurant incubator.

Interim Spaces, which already provides affordable premises for artists, makers and small businesses in the town, disclosed the project in a current trustee recruitment listing. It says funding is supporting the development.

Restaurant incubators support people developing food businesses, giving them a way to establish and test their ideas. The Town Street project would extend the charity's work beyond the retail and creative spaces it already operates in Shepton.

Interim Spaces previously ran a retail incubator at 10 Market Place, helping emerging businesses test their ideas before moving into commercial premises. That programme operated from 2024 to 2025, following the charity's acquisition of the building in September 2023.

The ground-floor shop is now occupied by Nicolle Wilson Upholstery, which trades on a subsidised rent. Upstairs, The Studio hosts music, arts and wellbeing classes, with subsidised music lessons among its activities.

The charity also operates Commercial Road Studios in the former registry offices at 19 Commercial Road. It leased the premises in July 2024, and the studios now accommodate 15 local artists and makers.

On Town Street, Interim Spaces worked with Shepton Mallet Town Council to establish The Artistry. A £5,000 grant supported the first year's rent and bills, with local makers taking responsibility for its day-to-day management.

The shop features work by up to 40 makers and traders and runs workshops. The charity says it is now in its second year.

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The restaurant project is identified as Interim Spaces' latest acquisition as it recruits a trustee with legal and governance experience. Applications for that role close on Sunday, 25 October.