Oswestry markets' profits tumble
Profits have tumbled at Oswestry's markets – sparking fears for the future of some events.
Money made by the markets has dropped from almost £19,000 in 2011/12 to just over £5,000 in the last financial year, although the figure is expected to rise this year.
The future of the town's farmers' market, which is run on the last Friday of each month, is in doubt as it is running at a loss, as is the outdoor Friday market.
It has also been suggested the running of the town's markets could be handed over to outside management.
Management of the markets and the fate of the farmers' market will be among a number of issues discussed by members of Oswestry Town Council's markets and car parks committee tomorrow night.
Councillors will consider whether Oswestry still wants to be a market town and whether the market is in the right part of the town.
The town council has been responsible for both the indoor and outdoor markets for decades and earlier this year won an award for best speciality market for its annual Christmas Live event.
A report to the committee sets out the financial performance of the retail markets which are held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The detailed report from finance officer Roger Dyke includes for the first time the cost of administrative officers' time, which he calculates as £20,000 a year.
His report shows that profits from running the market have slumped from £18,828 in 2011/12 to £5,135 in the last financial year. But the current year has already seen better fortunes.
David Clough, the town council's retail markets and events manager, said: "There continues to be many, non-financial benefits of the market which must not be forgotten, including employment, fundraising, new business enterprise and tourism, but we continue to face difficult challenges."
