A new style of shopping was introduced to the west end this month.

The Somerset Vendor Market is the brainchild of the Bermuda Small Business Development Company (BSBDC).

Vendors from a pool of 200 gather at the Somerset Cricket Club each week offering clothes, shoes, accessories and household items from individual stalls.

Between 300 and 1,000 people turn out in anticipation every Saturday. According to Roxanne Christopher of the BSBDC, the market reflects a unique community spirit.

"It has been a great experience," she said. "A lot of people come out. It is great community event because we have majorettes, we have fun castles, we have Sandys Drum Line, we have face painters.

"So it is truly like a carnival atmosphere every single week. It is not like you have to wait until the next school fair to take your family out to this particular environment, you can go to this environment every single Saturday and also shop, have great food and great accessories."

About 30 of the 200 vendors registered as BSBDC clients turn out each week. On offer are everything from baby clothes to BlackBerry covers.

The market, which had its grand opening on May 8, provides sellers with opportunities to expand their business and build up a steady customer base.

It also offers residents something different than the hustle and bustle of Hamilton.

Ms Christopher said: "These vendor markets are an entirely different experience than going into a stand-alone retail store. It's a culture, it is an energy, it's vibrancy. There's music, there's entertainment that you are not going to find on a regular basis in the City of Hamilton or other parts of the Island."

For those not interested in shopping there are ways to relax: a fun castle and picnic benches with umbrellas and chairs.

Ms Christopher said: "We absolutely represent Bermuda. It shows the spirit of community, which is still alive and very strong."

The Somerset Vendor Market is the second of its kind to open on the Island; the first being at the Rubber Tree in Warwick. More may be opened in the months ahead.

The markets offer sandals, clothing and artifacts straight from Africa, and photographs by local artists.

There are also lively characters such as Willobhy Richards, an elderly singer who volunteers his time each week, performing reggae, calypso and pop songs in Warwick. Meanwhile Vernette Durian shares her brand of spoken word poetry with visitors at the Somerset market.

"Our goal would be to have at least another three of four markets, in addition to these two, throughout the Island," Ms Christopher said. "And ultimately we want to see the natural progression for our vendors to start from vendors and become retail store owners.

"So we are working to try and have a market place open in Hamilton, hopefully in 2010, and we are looking to expand to the St. George's area as well."

Interested vendors must get a peddlers' licence from Magistrates' Court and register their business with BSBDC.

The Somerset Vendor Market is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each Saturday. For more information call 296-4339 or e-mail rchristopher@bsbdc.bm.