Relief for town traders as new electric deal agreed
BBCStreet-food vendors have said they can "finally relax" after it was confirmed that their electricity supply will remain on.
Taunton Town Council said it will invest in infrastructure to allow traders to measure and pay for their own electricity output on Fore Street.
It comes after Somerset Council said it could no longer afford to pay the £31,000-a-year bill to supply power to traders.
Alex Frost, who owns Super Juice, said: "It's been very stressful but it seems like our future is going to be okay in this town."
Eight businesses launched a petition earlier this year to stop the electricity being switched off at the end of March, which gained more than 1,400 signatures.
Ms Frost, who has traded for 20 years in Taunton, said: "As I think you can see from the petition, we are wanted in the town.
"We got a lot of support so that was really nice."
Taunton Town Council said it will take over supplying electricity to street traders and will install meters to allow them to gauge how much they use.
Tom Deakin, who is the town council leader and a county councillor, told BBC Radio Somerset that they "wanted to support our traders".
"We've chosen to invest in the infrastructure and we want to make sure our number one priority is that the power stays on," he said.
Shaun Wainwright, owner of Spud Shack, said it had been "an emotional rollercoaster", but was grateful for the council's support.
"These ladies and gentlemen are trying to help Taunton and trying to do the best for us," he added.
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