Bridgnorth open-air market wins approval

An open-air market will now be held on a Bridgnorth car park on Saturdays and Sundays after councillors gave the plans the go-ahead.

Alan Willder Markets has been granted permission to use the parking area at Meredith's Yard, in Old Smithfield Road, for the market.

The firm had been seeking permission to use the site seven days a week but changed the plans and applied to Shropshire Council to hold the market on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 7am to 7pm.

Shropshire Council's south planning committee approved the plan yesterday.

Currently there is a market on Saturdays and a car boot sale on Sundays.

Alan Willder, from Alan Willder Markets, today refused to comment on any future plans for the market.

Councillor Stuart West, chairman of the South Shropshire Planning Committee, said: "There has been a lot of negotiations and compromises going on here and what was finally achieved was the best result for everybody."

Bridgnorth Town Council also supported a permanent weekend market in the northern portion of the car park but voiced concerns about the loss of some 50 car parking spaces and the implications for town centre parking provision at weekends. However, a further 22 spaces have been provided in other locations.