Taunton shop owner urges businesses to oppose marches

Tim, owner of sustainable living shop Tare and Tide, has said he's prepared to lose trade and briefly close the shop over midday this Saturday, September 19, to join a counter-protest in the town centre.

Monthly protests and counter-protests are expected to continue this weekend, as counter-organisers brace for another demonstration over the issue of immigration.

The march follows earlier protests in August and July that attracted significant crowds of counter-demonstrators and a heavy police presence.

It is understood that the leader of the right-wing political party UKIP, Nick Tenconi, will be speaking at the march.

Tare and Tide will be temporarily shut between midday and 1.30pm this Saturday to allow staff to join the static counter-protest in town.

In a statement on social media, Tim said: "I don't want to have to do this, to lose money on a Saturday, to have the town I call home treated like this, but I refuse to stand by and not do something.

"Last time it was amazing to see so many of my customers there, adding their voices to the very loud message that hatred isn't welcome here."

"I am once again choosing to close the shop for a bit to add my voice to the counter protest." (Image: Tare and Tide)

The march through town is billed by organisers as an "anti-illegal immigration" protest, also focusing on the alleged issue of "two tier policing".

Tim told the Somerset County Gazette: "I really wish more small businesses in the town would speak out against the disruption the far-right marches have caused us.

"As far as I'm aware, I am the only shopkeeper to have made a public statement and gone so far as to close to attend the counter protest."

Tim has encouraged any shopkeepers and local businesses in a similar situation to reach out to him for support.

He added: "The more voices saying that this behaviour isn't welcomed or tolerated in our town, the greater the impact will be."