A new shared shop space is opening in Shepton Mallet this summer — and local creatives are being invited to get involved.

The "Town Street Collective" will be based at 37 Town Street and is looking for up to six traders to form a core group running the shop together.

A grant from Shepton Mallet Town Council will cover the full rent for the first year, with traders only needing to chip in around £39 a month each to cover overheads.

There's no sales commission or extra fees — just a commitment to help staff and operate the shop as part of the team.

The project is being run by Interim Spaces, the same charity behind Shepton's retail incubator at 10 Market Place and the Commercial Road Studios. Last Christmas, they also ran a festive pop-up from the same space, showcasing work from more than 18 local makers.

The team is also looking for a wider group of up to 15 traders who could sell their products from the shop either through occasional shifts or by renting shelf space.

The shop includes 20 square metres of floor space, fast Wi-Fi, plug sockets, a kitchenette, and a staff toilet. The lease begins in June, with a summer launch planned for July. Site visits and info sessions are running throughout May and June.

It's all part of an effort to bring more footfall to the bottom of Town Street — and give local traders a central, affordable platform to show off what they do best.

To express interest in joining the collective, fill in this online form and someone will be in touch in a few days.