It was supposed to have been a double header party in Sherborne: the monthly independent market on Sunday, followed by Pack Monday Fair.

Pack Monday, a fair dating back to 1790, fell foul of covid concerns and was cancelled. Sherborne Market did manage to go ahead on October 11, however, with more than 100 stalls safely dispersed the length of the town. The market has become the biggest in the Blackmore Vale in little more than a year, pulling in thousands of visitors to Sherborne.

“We were very mindful of spreading people across the town because of covid,” said organiser Jules Bradburn.“ It has to be pedestrianised, civilised but also interesting.” The stalls spread down closed-off Cheap Street, Half Moon Street and Digby Road and into Pageant Gardens, where there was live music. There was a late scare when Sherborne Town Council decided to shut down the gardens, citing residents’ concerns. But the market appealed and won, and the event went ahead in glorious autumn sunshine. The market has the backing of Sherborne’s Chamber of Commerce and Sherborne Indies, which represents the town’s traders. Some, like Oxfords Bakery, opened for business and also had a stall outside.

Winstone’s Bookshop also opened for the day. “We are happy for the market to be here. “If you want your business to be part of the town, you get more out of it as an independent than a chain,” said assistant manager Hazel Roadnight.Jules added: “We encourage the shops to open. “The idea is to get footfall into the town, so they come in for the traders – but also because it’s a lovely town and they might come back with mum for a coffee.” A feasibility study by the Frome Independent Market suggested Sherborne could follow the Somerset town’s huge success.

A test market was held last June, which encouraged the town to plan a full season in 2020. April and May were lost to covid but since June the market has grown each month, from 60 traders to more than 100.Footfall has also increased from 1,500 to 6,500 visitors. The traders have to be “local and interesting, with a story to tell,” she said, such as Twisted Cider (Longburton) pitched next to Magna Metal Craft (Kington Magna) at the top of Cheap Street.

It’s mainly craft stalls but also vintage and food, such as the Dorset Dairy Company, which delivers milk to homes in Sherborne. There was live music playing in Pageant Gardens, where the local hot food traders in the gardens were selling pizza, hog roast, Thai, tartiflette or mac and cheese.

Stalls cost £40, or £5 for those selling out of a suitcase. “That’s for anyone who wants to experiment. “We will always support people who want to try things out,” said Jules, who is used to arranging events. As a solicitor for large event applications, she has cleared the way such as Bristol’s Love Saves the Day Festival and the south-east corner of Glastonbury, a zone known as ‘The naughty corner.’ The proceeds from Sherborne Market pay for the signage, road closures, musician fees and rent of the gardens from the council. Profits go towards nurturing new businesses. The last Sherborne market this year is on November 15. The 2021 season will run from April – September on the third Sunday of the month. Potential stallholders should email julesbradburn@gmail.com

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.