Taste of the Continent comes to Minehead market

A TASTE of the Continent is coming to West Somerset with up to 40 French and European stallholders joining the Minehead Farmers’ Market to offer a feast of fresh produce to local gourmets.
West Somerset Council has liaised with Amber Markets Ltd, a specialist organiser of markets for French and other European traders, and has arranged a four-day trial running from Thursday, March 29, to Sunday, April 1, inclusive.
The council’s economic development and business portfolio holder, Councillor Nick Messarra, said: “The local farmers market has been very successful and we hope that by offering local people a wider choice of produce, the markets will attract even more shoppers to Minehead.
“People will be able to buy superb local food and enjoy a new range of excellent Continental foods in one big market.
“If this trial is successful, we hope to run more of these joint markets on an occasional basis.
“We hope it will continue to encourage people from the surrounding villages, as well as tourists, to come into Minehead to shop.
“Extra customers will boost sales for local traders and that is great news for the local economy.”
The market will take place from 8.30 am to 5.50 pm daily in the middle section of The Avenue, which means closing the road from the Summerland Avenue car park entrance to the corners of North Road and Tregonwell Road between 6 am and 7.30 pm.
Traffic will be diverted and residents’ parking made available in the North Road and Summerland car parks, while the bus stop outside Woolworth’s will be temporarily relocated to Blenheim Road.
The council’s market towns regeneration officer, Pete Vallance, said, “We are aiming to bring a wider range of produce to local residents and encourage visitors to stay in Minehead longer, which means they will spend more money in our local shops.
“The local economy will also receive a boost because the new stall holders and their helpers will need accommodation in the area.
“We are working with highways, the police, private and public transport providers, Minehead Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses to minimise any traffic flow problems, and we hope to work with local residents to see how we can minimise any disruption to them.”
Pedestrian access to all properties in the area will remain and it is proposed to make residents’ parking available in North Road and Summerland car parks.
Deliveries for traders and businesses will be accommodated, and although there is scope to temporarily relocate the bus stop outside Woolworth’s to Blenheim Road, the Bancks Street bus stop will be unaffected.
The proposed alternative route for traffic from the eastern end of the closure would be to divert it along North Road into Blenheim Road, and back to The Parade, and vice versa.
Mr Vallance said: “Taunton has a pedestrianised area that naturally lends itself to these markets.
“We do not have that luxury in Minehead but we are sure that by working together, we can minimise disruption and provide all the benefits that these markets bring to our local residents in West Somerset.”
A representative of West Somerset Council will be on-site or in the immediate vicinity of the market throughout the four-day trial, as will a market co-ordinator from Amber Markets.

Photos of Minehead Farmers' Market submitted.

Regeneration boost for Watchet, but Williton misses out

WATCHET is celebrating after having been formally accepted into the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTI).
However, there was disappointment in neighbouring Williton as the village missed out because similar work was already being carried out.
Watchet will now receive up to £20,000 in grants, dedicated support from a community facilitator, professional assistance from consultants, and templates and toolkits to aid its regeneration.
Watchet Regeneration Partnership vice-chairman Sally De-Renzy Martin said: “We are delighted to be welcomed in as one of the initiative’s new towns.
“The harbour, which is the focal point of Watchet, will be enhanced through the regeneration of the East Wharf, The Esplanade, and the West Somerset Mineral Line proposals for the West Quay.
“This gives the community an opportunity to look at other areas of the town for enhancement in terms of landscape and employment opportunities.”
Watchet was one of more than 30 towns which applied to join the initiative, and in the Westcountry a total of 13 were accepted.
The town underwent a comprehensive two-stage application process which took place between July and December of last year.
During the assessment process, local authorities and regional agencies were consulted to ensure resources were allocated to best effect.
West Somerset Council’s market towns regeneration officer Pete Vallance, who worked with the Watchet community to put the application together, said: “This gives Watchet an immense opportunity to build on the community regeneration already underway.
“The creation of a community action plan will enable decision-makers to hear and assist in tackling issues for the residents of Watchet and its surrounding area.”
Watchet and the other towns will be formally welcomed during the Market and Coastal Towns Association annual conference, which takes place on February 2 and 3, at the Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay, which is also being attended by Dr. Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and Rural Advocate.
Association chief executive James Hassett said: “I am delighted to announce that we are able to help 13 new towns from across the region plan for their future.
“Throughout this process the support of the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the region’s local authorities has been vital in helping us to make what have been difficult decisions.
“I very much believe that this programme offers the unique opportunity for a community to come together around a shared purpose and vision and for a town to develop in a way that its community would wish to see, rather than having change imposed upon them.”
Although Williton also applied for MCTI status, the association felt community work already being undertaken as part of the Williton Parish Plan had direct parallels to its own.
The association will, however, be launching a service in the middle of this year to support communities such as Williton which will, for example, assist in auditing activity and plot steps towards full MCTI accreditation.
Photo submitted.