THE popular Williton Community Market, held monthly in the Parish Rooms for the past four years, has been forced to close after the organisers claimed that Williton Parish Council doubled their rent.

Committee members Sarah Towells and Barbara Heywood said this week that the increase had made it impossible for the market to continue.

It was a popular venue, selling fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, knitted goods, handmade jewellery and a wide variety of local products.

The community market took over from one previously run by the WI and regularly supported five local charities – the Williton Window, the Hospital League of Friends, the Talking Newspaper, WASPS and the Rainbow guides group.

Sarah said: “The cost of the room has now been doubled to £20 for two hours and we simply can’t afford to pay that. We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the years.

“There have been times when we have had to support the market out of our own pockets, but we were happy to do so because it is very much a community asset and a social meeting point for a lot of elderly people.”

Williton parish council clerk Michelle Francis said the council’s charges for the parish rooms had not changed but a review had shown that the community market was previously being charged for two-hour sessions rather than for the three-to-four hours it was on the premises.

It had also had use of the kitchen for which, under the review, there would be an extra charge.

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