Bishop's Castle town market suspended during renovation

Councillors last night decided to suspend Bishop's Castle's weekly Friday markets until the renovation of the town hall was completed after Christmas. Members of Bishop's Castle Town Council said they took the decision "with great regret".

The market used to be held in the town hall but has been in disarray since the historic building was closed in April this year for a near £1 million revamp.

Among the stallholders, only Nicky Simpson and Duncan Ellson opted to stay with the town council and move to a temporary market site at the auction yard.

The majority of traders split off and set up a new market a couple of miles outside the town, at Lydham.

Miss Simpson, former landlady and chef at The Castle Hotel, sells flans, cakes and savoury foods while Mr Ellson, a former manager at Minsterley Creamery, has been using the auction yard to promote his Shropshire's Own county-wide online farm shop.

Miss Simpson wants to now set up stall outside a pharmacist in the town but last night's meeting of Bishop's Castle Town Council that pitch would not be available for a fortnight.

Mr Ellson is due to resume weekly business in the auction yard.

Karen Bavastock, who took over as Bishop's Castle mayor last month, had issued a "use it or lose it" appeal for more traders to come forward and sign up for the market but the call fell on deaf ears.

Members of the council last night agreed to suspend efforts to attract stallholders to the market and get it running as before until after the revamp of the town hall.

Mrs Bavastock told the meeting councillors and town clerk Diane Malley had considered the possibility of keeping the market going at length but they faced major difficulties.

She added: "Personally, I would like to see the market continue here but it is the practicality of it and whether we have the resources until the town hall re-opens in the New Year. We do intend to get traders but that will take some time."

Deputy Mayor Councillor Jane Carroll said she was a big supporter of keeping the market open but added: "The auction yard was only a temporary solution.

"It is sad because it is a market town, it should have a market, but I suggest we do leave it until the town hall reopens."

Councillor Anne-Marie Jackson, warned that suspending the market for six months could have "long-term ramifications" for the town centre.

She said: "Once you have lost something it is far more difficult to reinstate it."

Members were told the regular farmers market in Bishop's Castle would continue to run as usual.