Bishop's Castle traders on the move as town hall work starts
Friday markets at Bishop's Castle Town Hall will come to an end in less than a month – making way for the £750,000 revamp of the 18th century building.
A Friday market will be held at another venue from the beginning of April. All five stallholders will then relocate but only one of them will move to the new venue at the town's auction yard.
Nicky Simpson's flans and savoury foods business will move to the auction yard, while Rosie's brick-a-brac and antique jewellery business is relocating to a shop in Market Square.
Amess Brothers fruit and vegetables, Mr Bun the Baker and Sue Averis's ethical clothing and cards stalls will move to Lydham Village Hall on April 5.
Paul Amess, of the fruit and veg stall, said it was regrettable but the auction yard alternative suggested by the town council was not suitable.
The renovation of the historic town hall, which houses the popular weekly market, will start at Easter and is expected to take up to 12 months to complete.
Town clerk Diane Malley said holding regular markets in the town hall was a central part of the £750,000 renovation plan.
She said: "We need to keep Bishop's Castle on the map as the market town it always was in the past.
"They will be vital to the income and life of the hall when it is back in use and we are keen to keep the Friday market going.
"The monthly flea market and farmers markets are both going to use the Methodist Hall in Station Street and then return to the town hall when it is ready."
Leaders behind the revamp of the Grade II-listed town hall hope it will be restored to its former glory by the end of the year.
The cash for the scheme has come in the main from a Heritage Lottery grant.
