Shepton Mallet Town Council has awarded a £15,000 Service Level Agreement (SLA) to Black Sheep CIC for the development of a new Sunday Market aimed at boosting the town's economy. The market is set to launch on 28 April and hopes to draw visitors and encourage local spending.

The grant will help cover initial costs such as toilet hire, traffic management, entertainment, and marketing for the market's first year. Black Sheep CIC, a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation composed of Shepton residents and business owners, will manage the market.

The market, set to open on the last Sunday of the month, promises to offer a lively mix of vintage, food, art, and more, with the first event scheduled for 28 April 2024.

Organised by a team of residents and business owners, the market aims to revitalise Shepton Mallet and draw both locals and visitors to experience the best of what the South West has to offer.

The market will feature carefully selected stalls showcasing a diverse range of produce and crafts, including designer-makers, antiques, and home and garden items.

Market manager Charlie Bolderow, known for her role in developing Frome's creative scene, is at the helm of this initiative. "50% of the new market's traders are businesses from Shepton Mallet or within five miles of the town," she said.

In addition to shopping, attendees can enjoy live music, DJ sets, and various workshops. Family-friendly activities will also be available, including Sing-a-Ling, a music and singing workshop designed for children.

Gavin Mayall, Vice Chair of the town council, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative: "We are absolutely delighted as a council to be supporting this fantastic project which celebrates the creativity and culinary excellence in Shepton Mallet. We are all aware of the amazing regenerative effect that Frome Independent has had and this exciting new market has the potential to have a similar effect here whilst being unique to Shepton and all that it has to offer."

The inaugural event will feature over 40 stalls, half of which are local businesses from within a five-mile radius of Shepton Mallet. The market will run from 10:00 to 15:00.