SHOPPERS have been thanked for helping Ilminster town centre buck a gloomy national trend.

Ilminster Chamber of Commerce has reported that all retail premises are full occupied even after recent changes of ownership and closures due to retirement.

Many other towns are reporting problems attracting traders.

The Chamber also understands there has been a waiting list of businesses expressing an interest in coming into the town when premises become vacant.

A spokesman said: “Ilminster’s a charming small market town with many high-quality, interesting, independent shops.

“It has been a market town for many hundreds of years, and this adds to the retail mix we can offer visitors and our regular customers.

“All the retailers recognise that it’s important to work together to raise the profile of the town. This is reflected in their support for events such as the Victorian Night, the First Tuesday event, which is currently being revamped, and other community events.

“These are difficult times for all high street traders, and if we knew what the magic ingredient was to keeping the town successful we’d be on the phone to Mary Portas immediately, but in the end it’s the continued support of customers which keeps the town alive, and we can only thank them for it.”

Ilminster Mayor Cllr Emma Jane Taylor agreed that variety is key to the town’s success, saying: “I’m always impressed by the quality of our shops, and the range of goods and services they offer. It’s what makes our market town so special.”