We've noticed you're using an outdated browser. For full compatibility, please ensure you're running a modern browser such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge.
All up-to-date information can be found on Opening Hours page. Business hours are 10am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday opening is discretionary and non-contractual.
The shop has CCTV installed and the building is alarmed. Ilminster Emporium will take all reasonable measures to ensure the property is secure, but accept no liability, as security of your businesses products is your responsibility.
Shoplifters can always assess how easy it is to steal from a shop by how soon after they enter, they are spoken to. It is known as ‘the three-to-five second rule’.
Greeting customers as they enter can put off shoplifters because it sends out a message that we are paying attention. If a thief thinks they've been spotted, they are more likely to leave.
We can't predict who’s coming into the shop or how they will behave. Shoplifters could respond aggressively when challenged. Always trust your instincts and only engage a potential shoplifter if it is safe to do so. If you feel confident with the situation, keep a safe distance and then ask them if they need any help or if they require a basket or a bag. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, be polite, step away and quietly alert via WhatsApp, mobile phone or alarm.
Traders are responsible for the safety of their unit/space, ensuring items and displays are set up in a safe and secure manner to avoid accidents and the trader agrees to indemnify Ilminster Emporium against all claims arising out of negligence on the part of the trader/or their helpers. The property is fitted with a fire alarm and is tested weekly.
Traders agree to indemnify Ilminster Emporium against all claims for damages or injury to the property or person of any persons in respect of any claim by any such person arising out of negligence or from any faulty or dangerous products sold by the traders or their agents or servants.
All sales are to be made through iZettle for credit/debit card payments and together with cash sales put through the till. In the event of iZettle outage only cash sales are to be accepted. The nearest cashpoint is the Tesco ATM.
Each product to be tagged/labelled with trader ID and price. Please make sure your tags/stickers are adequately attached to the product. Every time a product goes through the till without the correct data there is a potential error to be dealt with. Please ensure you check your products regularly for damaged or missing tags/labels.
All items in your unit/space should have a label (display cabinets, stock, lighting etc):
The Weekly report goes out on a Sunday/Monday via email stating the sales you made that week. The report will show the following detail:
Payment will be made one week later. e.g., if the sales report date is for the week ending 1 January, then the payment will be made on 8/9 January.
In the event of non-payment of the licence fee, shop exemption working fee and/or quarterly shop packaging fee, we will hold back weekly payments until the fee(s) has been received.
If you have given a month’s notice, we still expect you to pay your licence fee. Upon departure we will refund you your deposit if applicable. Notice is ideally given on the 1st day of the month.
This is the description of your business that you supplied to us at the start (Trader Application Form submission).
The products sold will fall under your business description within the Ilminster Emporium.
If you decide to add new ranges to your stock, you will need to notify us of this before adding this stock to your unit as this may cause conflict with other traders.
You can change this description by sending us an update to enquiries@ilminsteremporium.co.uk. This will be reviewed and only approved if it does not conflict with another trader.
Leaflets/Flyers: Available for when attending fairs/markets or at any other opportunity for distribution - these are available in the shop.
The Ilminster Emporium website will show a description of all our traders based on the information supplied by your business and other relevant information or photographs.
Social media, predominantly Facebook, but also Instagram, is our main marketing tool for reaching new and old customers. We need everyone to use social media as often as possible. When posting on your page, always tag the ‘Ilminster Emporium’ so posts can be picked up. To enhance increase of likes between businesses, please like other traders’ pages and comment as much as you can. We also advertise via Ilminster Press. For special events/promotions other media may also be used.
Any queries about your unit, licence fee, products, other issues: we prefer to be notified via email to enquiries@ilminsteremporium.co.uk, unless you prefer to discuss in person.
We will contact you with queries from customers about your products in the shop (pricing, product information, commissions etc). Please ensure we have the correct contact details for you.
Should your primary contact number or email address change, please email it to enquiries@ilminsteremporium.co.uk.
Our preferred form of communication is email.
In addition to the normal opening hours, access to the building will be given to traders to restock outside of the opening hours. On weekdays this will be 9am to 5pm. Please ensure that all the doors are properly secured after use.
We ask that your unit/space is always adequately stocked and kept tidy during business hours. Should you need to attend a fair, please make sure you have a notice in your unit/space explaining you are attending a fair and so your unit is not adequately stocked. We would still expect you to leave some stock in your unit to show you are still trading with us.
You may not stock a duplicate product at the same time as another trader.
A duplicate product is the exact same product - either currently in the shop or sold by another trader within the last 2 months.
In the event of a dispute, we will need to look at all the data/information to establish who is at fault. This should be sent in to enquiries@ilminsteremporium.co.uk with an image of the product and when you put your product into your unit/space.
All lighting used within your unit/display should have or less than 10 watts (low energy) use. Any lighting exceeding this wattage will be turned off and bulbs will be removed. Additional lighting is subject to agreement with the Ilminster Emporium and will incur a charge for the electricity used.
Any large pieces sold will need to be picked up by the customer within one week and remain in your unit unless otherwise agreed. If this period is exceeded, then it is the trader’s responsibility to communicate regarding the pick-up with the customer. Customer details will be obtained by the person managing the shop at that time. If the item is too heavy to lift, the trader may be contacted to help carry it out with the customer.
Any orders of smaller items to be picked up by customers can be held at the till for up to a week. These products will need to be clearly labelled with product description and price. If not picked up by the customer, this can then be put back into your unit for sale.
We only offer a full refund if an item is faulty, not as described on the tag or does not do what it is supposed to. The decision is left to the discretion of the ‘duty trader of the day’.
In the event of a missing product, we will need you to fill out the online form.
As this takes a lot time to investigate, please check that the product is not at home, already sold or concealed in your unit/display.
Traders should not play music. If music is played it will be operated by Ilminster Emporium, who will secure the appropriate music licence.
Customers, not just those with assistance dogs may bring their dogs into the shop. Wellbehaved dogs, at one at a time only, will be allowed, but they must be on a fixed lead at all times, unless they are being carried
Sub-letting is not permitted. Traders are only allowed to sell their own products.