Residents of Shepton Mallet have joined forces to challenge Somerset Council's recent decision to ban Shaun Brown from operating his fruit and vegetable stall at the Shepton Mallet Market.

Shaun Brown runs Brown & Daughters Fruit & Veg Stalls and their stall has been a long-standing presence at the weekly Shepton Mallet Market for several years. However, following a dispute with another market trader, council officials informed the family that Mr. Brown was no longer permitted at the market, while the rest of his family was still welcome.

The decision was made on November 30th, but intervention by the National Market Traders Federation allowed Mr. Brown to continue trading in Shepton Mallet during the Christmas period.

The Brown family's petition, aimed at persuading Somerset Council to reconsider their decision, has already garnered over 200 signatures. Additionally, paper petitions are available at The Cheeky Bean and Dredge & Male.

It's worth noting that the family also operates market stalls in Castle Cary and Wells, which remain unaffected by the ban.

While members of the Brown family have not provided a comment, a spokesperson for Somerset Council said: "Somerset Council received a complaint about the conduct of an individual trader at the Shepton Mallet Friday Market, which it duly investigated in line with the Market Traders Terms & Conditions of Trading. As a result, one individual person was asked not to attend further markets. We welcome the remainder of the Brown and Daughters team, and look forward to seeing them at future markets."