The calendar features a range of candid snaps in Shepton Mallet...

(Almost) naked calendar aims to raise funds for Shepton Mallet charity

Paul JonesNovember 27, 20250 Comment0

A DOZEN independent Somerset businesses have joined forces to come up with a bare-faced plan for a bit of extra exposure – quite literally.

Business owners in Shepton Mallet have come together to raise money for a town cause – by posing for a 2026 calendar, almost naked.

Funds raised through the initiative will raise funds for the Shepton Community Fridge.

A launch party for the calendar will take place at Bar 501 on Wednesday, December 3, from 6pm.

“The idea for the Shepton Mallet Bare Business calendar came about when one of the organisers were in discussion with the local Economic Regeneration Group about how to promote local independent businesses,” a spokesperson for the Shepton Mallet Bare Business calendar said.

“Following some community WhatsApp messages and door-knocking, 12 businesses stepped up to brave the camera and the cold.”

The calendar will be sold for £10 and was produced in just three weeks – from idea to physical calendars – with photography by Dan Simon and Kayse Corney.

From each sale, £2 will go to the Shepton Community Fridge.

Calendars can only be purchased from participating retailers in Shepton Mallet, available from tomorrow (November 28), while stocks last.

The calendar can be bought from:
· Dredge and Male (10 High Street)
· Junk & Disorderly (1 Great Ostry)
· The Shepton Cobbler (49 High Street)
· Bar 501 (2 Market Place)
· The Black Thistle (10 Market Place)
· The Little Farm Shed (9 Market Place)
· Minsky’s (3 Commercial Road)
· Lethal Postmen Vintage (16 Town Street)
· Phillips Tyres Shepton Mallet (5 Paul Street)
· Shepton Artists (8 Town Street)
· The Artistry (37 Town Street)

“2025 has been a tough year for many on the High Street, in Shepton and all over the country, so we thought we’d see out the year with a bit of cheer, get some visibility for our incredible independent business scene, and raise a bit of cash for the lovely, hardworking people at the Shepton Community Fridge, a volunteer-run project that distributes surplus food to households in need,” the spokesperson added.

“An enormous thank-you to our brave and wonderful participating businesses who took on the camera and the cold to make this happen.”