FIVE crafty designers have joined forces to open a new pop-up shop in Ilminster town centre, but for a limited time only.

The team of traders, who all live near the town, launched at 18 Silver Street, but will only be open until the end of December.

There will be an array of handmade art and craft items for sale, designed and made by Alison Haggas, Caroline Cliffe, Joan Aslett, Nicola Kalocsai and Marc Wood.

The shop, called Art & Craft, allows the designers to share the financial risk and the divide the time commitments of running the shop between the five of them.

Rachel Wood, from Marc Wood Joinery, said: “On our first Saturday of opening the reaction from visitors was really encouraging.

“We heard some great comments about how nice it is to have something different, and getting to actually meet the makers of our handcrafted items is a real bonus for our customers.”

The pop-up experiment gives South Somerset shoppers an eight week run to buy crafty gifts from independent designers, which could be extended if the shop is a big success.

She added: “It is really important for the local economy that we buy from our smaller shops whenever we can.

“Sadly, many empty shop spaces can be seen throughout South Somerset and more than 2,870 shops have closed across the UK so far in 2019.”

Through the eight weeks, shoppers can expect to see a rotating arrangement of window displays, various workshops running by the traders, and late opening until 9pm on Ilminster’s notorious Victorian Evening.

The shop will also add local honey from Ilminster hives, supplied by Annie Kilty.

The shop is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

Art & Craft is only taking cash payments at the moment.