Visitors to Tiverton Pannier Market will be greeted by a series of new traders and features, as the historic venue steps up plans to enhance the experience of customers this summer.

Among the new arrivals is Vic’s Little Kitchen and its award-winning fine dining chef Vic Williams, selling her luxury baked goods and artisan deli items.

All Vic’s items are made from scratch using her own recipes and hand-selected natural ingredients.

Vic represented Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, in the WorldSkills culinary arts championships and Michelin star chef and restaurateur Tom Sellers requested her carrot cake recipe after sampling it at a photoshoot.

Also adding to the market’s eclectic mix of traders are Marguerite Harford from The Potting Shed, with her bee and butterfly-friendly plants and hand-made garden items, Mandy and Andy Lyons from Lyons Made, with their new children’s clothes and accessories, and Sue Robinson from The Crafty Pint, with her selection of local beers and ciders.

Long-time trader Heather Pope, who specialises in hand-made gemstone jewellery, has returned to the fold.

The additions follow the launch in April of the new market cafe, JB’s Cafe and Bagel Bar, which is making a name for itself with its tasty selection of bagels.

There is a fresh look and feel to the market, with the addition of conifer plants to welcome visitors on arrival, safety barriers to assist with social distancing and a trial of background music in the main thoroughfare, while hanging baskets are due to go up in early June.

There are plans to introduce street food, live music and family-friendly entertainment to add to the visitor experience on general market days.

Meanwhile, the market, run by Mid Devon District Council, is preparing to host a series of events.

They include an outdoor car boot sale from 2pm to 4pm this Sunday (23 May), The Great Western Teddy Bear Fair on Sunday 27 June and The Unnamed* Art Exhibition and Market on Sunday 11 July, with more events set to be added over the coming weeks and months.

Jim Bray, who has recently joined the team as market manager, said:

“We’re delighted to be operating fully again, welcoming people back to our general market days on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in a Covid-safe environment and introducing a fantastic set of new traders.

“They join a friendly, loyal, diverse group of traders selling a wide range of quality local produce and hand-made goods, covering everything from meat, fish, fruit, veg, cheese, cakes, jams and curry sauces to plants, jewellery, gifts, books, clothes, teddy bears, authentic items from India, phones, computer games and radio-controlled cars.

“Over the coming weeks and months we’ll be looking to further enhance our group of traders while also showcasing local musical talent and other performers, all aimed at boosting the experience of visitors of all ages and revitalising the town centre.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting summer.”

If you’re interested in having a stall, busking, performing or providing a display or demo on general market days, please call Jim on 07815 791191 or e-mail him at jbray@middevon.gov.uk.