Mendip District Council appears to be holding out the hope that the Saturday market may possibly return... but not for some weeks.

A major campaign is underway to persuade the council to reverse a decision to close the Saturday market due to falling footfall, lack of traders and to re deploy market staff in other areas, including the local coronavirus vaccine sites.

The petition to re-open the Saturday market was available today (January 27) at the Wednesday Mendip Market in the car park at the centre of the town.

Meantime Mendip District Council has told Nub News :

" Due to the outdoor nature of the venues, Mendip District Council is delighted to be able to offer daily markets at Glastonbury, Wells, Frome, Street and Shepton Mallet.

" We have fully supported our stallholders throughout the pandemic, providing free rents to hard-pressed traders, parking offers to encourage footfall, and installing social distancing measures to ensure markets operate safely for both retailers and residents.

" We are in constant dialogue with our stallholders through our Markets Officers. The reduction of Saturday slots in Wells and Frome is a temporary move and will be reviewed in early February. Formal consultation with market traders is only required if a permanent change is proposed, which is certainly not the case here.

"As markets operator, the Council has sought the guidance and advice of the National Federation of Market Traders (NFMT) during the COVID crisis. This trade association - which represents market and street traders, events retailers and mobile caterers in the UK - has recognised the need for MDC to make this decision. "

You can read about the story to bring back the market by clicking HERE : the Frome Nub News site

Mendip added :ockdown does not apply to online purchases. The District Council has ensured residents can continue to support Mendip Markets from home by placing stallholder offers online on the Council's website. You can find your favourite traders HERE: the markets site

To stay up to date with market news you can also follow @mendip_markets on Twitter and @mendip.markets on Instagram or visit the website.