Shepton Mallet is set to enhance its reputation as the best little market town in Somerset with the launch of a new Sunday market, brought to life by Black Sheep Events CIC.

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 60 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.

Amber Smithwick, responsible for trader selection and a local restaurateur said: "Shepton Mallet has an inclusiveness like nowhere I've experienced before," she remarked, underscoring the welcoming nature of the town.

Katie Barton, a local antiques seller and long-time resident, expressed enthusiasm about the market's potential to attract new visitors and breathe life into the town. "Having a new market breathes fresh life and brings new people into Shepton who may not otherwise have realised what a unique town we are," she said.

The Shepton Mallet Sunday Market will run four times in 2024, with plans to expand to ten events annually starting in 2025. Pitches will be free of charge for the first year, encouraging a wide variety of vendors to participate.