THE first of six exciting late night shopping events promoting town businesses and eateries will be staged this weekend. Taking place on the last Friday of each month from now until October, the new event aims to unite the town's pubs and eateries, shops and residents once a month with an evening of entertainment, good food, shopping and socialising. The first event looks to really set momentum for the event, with a marquee in Red Lion Yard with a bar and live entertainment, stalls from Okehampton Farmers' Market, cream teas from Endacott's Bakery, Mexican food, taster packs from Turner's Bakehouse, and music from Wren Music. The maiden event is being organised by David Pamment, owner of jewellers Purple Penguins, in conjunction with the Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade. While the chamber has tried to launch similar events in the past, a business trip to the United States inspired David to take a lead role in organising such an event. Mr Pamment's jewellery business wholesales some of their products to vendors and stores in America. On a business trip to Burbank, California, David was introduced to the 'Ladies' Night Out'. The monthly late night shopping event encourages stall holders and shop owners to open up late at night for a shopping event with a party-like atmosphere, good food and entertainment. Donna Tombs, chair of Okehampton and District Chamber of Trade, said: 'Planning has gone pretty well. Dave Pamment from Purple Penguins has done a huge amount of work speaking to as many as the food retailers and eateries in town as possible. 'Other Chamber members, including the secretary and myself have personally tried to speak to as many of the local traders as possible to get them involved. 'Dave has been contacted by many people wishing to get involved and has a long list to draw upon for the future evenings. 'We are hoping that by the end of this series of events, finishing with a spectacular Hallowe'en event on Friday October 31, the Good Evening Okehampton event will be well known throughout the South West and people will be looking for them to begin again in 2015. 'From a business point of view I personally am hoping that it will put Okehampton on the map and will bring people back into this lovely town to spend money locally instead of going off to Exeter, Plymouth or worse still, online. 'We have some lovely shops in Okehampton and nothing beats the personal, friendly approach that you only get in independent businesses. 'We hope that the majority of centre town retail and food businesses will be open on the night and do expect that those that don't get involved this month will want to be part of it on Friday June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26 and October 31 – and all over again next year.' If you wish to get involved, call into Purple Penguins or Rockin' Beads on Red Lion Yard, or call Donna Tombs at Rockin' Beads on 01837 657614.