THERE will be 60 West Country businesses with stalls at the Taunton Independent Market on Castle Green on Sunday (April 10).

The popular event running from 10am to 3pm will also feature live music to entertain shoppers, and plenty of space for people to soak up the atmosphere.

People are urged to wear a face covering in busy areas to avoid spreading Covid-19.

Also taking part is local drummer Rufus, who will be busking to raise money to help the people of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, small start-up businesses and community-based organisations are being encouraged to take a free space in the Taunton Independent Market’s new Community and Enterprise stand, sponsored by Queen’s College, Taunton.

Courtesy of this exciting new sponsorship by Queen’s College, local entrepreneurs are being offered the chance of a free retail space at the monthly Taunton independent Market.

Small business owners and fledgling organisations or charities will benefit from the market’s footfall, helping them to take their business or organisation to the next level.

Lisa Palmer, head of admissions and marketing at Queen’s College said: “As a local school, Queen’s are strongly committed to Taunton, and we are absolutely delighted to be supporting the Taunton Independent Market with this new initiative and as their community and new enterprise partner.

"These monthly markets have become a highlight in the Taunton calendar and, alongside local residents, they bring many people from outside the area to enjoy all that is great about Taunton.

"Through our support for the Taunton Independent Market, we want to support entrepreneurship by helping local businesses, community-based organisations or charities to raise their profiles locally, by giving them a small stepping stone to success.

"This coming Sunday we are thrilled to be offering the first free community and enterprise space to Quantock Turners."

Michelle Beck, who runs the markets, said: “Taunton Independent Market is the perfect place to build brand awareness and we are hugely grateful to Queen’s College for sponsoring this important and exciting initiative.

"We’d love to hear from any local budding entrepreneurs looking to take their business to the next level and take advantage of a free space at one of the markets during 2022.”

Uptake is expected to be high, so any businesses wanting to book a free space, should contact Michelle Back at tauntonindependentmarket@gmail.com