Shepton Mallet Town Council has temporarily fenced off the Shambles following its annual health and safety audit. Specialists advised the medieval‑style structure is currently unsafe until further work is carried out.

The Shambles, a Grade II listed monument in the town's market place, will remain inaccessible while plans are drawn to secure and stabilise the timber structure. The council says it will move quickly — but must do so in line with its listed status.

What is The Shambles?

The Shambles comprises reconstructed butcher's market stalls, originally dating back to around 1450, now preserved as an architectural relic of Shepton's medieval market heritage. Over time, the structure has undergone partial removal, reconstruction and restoration. Today it stands as one of the last surviving examples of a "shambles" in England.

Despite repairs in past decades, recent assessments by the council's health and safety team have triggered the decision to fence it off until expert works can ensure public safety without harming its listed features.

What to expect next

• The structure will be surveyed in detail by conservation and structural specialists
• Any repair works will take into account historic preservation requirements
• The public will be kept updated on when the Shambles can safely reopen

A council spokesperson said: "We will work as quickly as possible to make the structure safe, taking into consideration its current listed status."

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