A SHOPPING centre in Wellington that champions independent shopping is set to celebrate its third birthday. 

The Emporium Somerset, which houses more than 50 shops, will be celebrating its birthday on May 10. 

Owners Cato and Sean Cooper are hosting a party from 5pm until 8.30pm to celebrate the occasion. 

Mrs Cooper said: “We can’t believe it’s already been three years since we opened the shop. We have gone from strength-to-strength and it is all thanks to our loyal customers and the fantastic shop owners who work with us to offer lots of wonderful products that have predominantly been sourced and created in Somerset.

"There will be complementary bubbly for everyone who attends. Alternative non-alcoholic refreshments will also be available.”

During the party representatives from Reminiscence Learning, The Emporium Somerset’s charity of the year, will be in the shop to chat to people about the work it does and to collect donations.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to browse the different shops across the three floors and chat to many of the shop owners who will also be there on the night. There will also be special offers on a variety of products.

The shops will be open as normal from 10am for shoppers and then from 5pm until 8.30pm.

Owners say that since The Emporium, an old Victorian chapel building, opened in 2015 it has seen many new businesses take up units and the range of products available has grown substantially. Many of the items are made in the surrounding Somerset areas and as well as homewares and gifts, there are also scented candles, jewellery, fabrics, antiques and much more.