Stallholders praise changes to Ellesmere Market
Traders in a Shropshire market hall have praised the company that took on the running of it 12 months ago in a bid to transform its fortunes.
All Together Ellesmere took over the running of Ellesmere Market Hall last year from Shropshire Council, which had been operating it at a loss.
And traders, who run stalls at the town's weekly Tuesday market, say the company has done a good job at making it more appealing to customers.
Work to tidy up the Scotland Street building has involved creating a new kitchen and store room thanks to a grant of £11,620 from Shropshire Council's Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.
Lynne Scurry runs the 3 Tier Crafts stall which specialises in home-baked goods. She said: "This is about my sixth year and I've been breaking records since the company took over. It looks nice since they did it up and I think it's been advertised more."
Chris Lightburn, who runs the fruit, veg and fish stall, said: "I have been here about 30 years and things are tough at the moment, like they are everywhere else.
"But they have done a good job with the building – it has been painted out and the layout of stalls is better so people can find what they are looking for more easily."
Nigel Jones, of NJ Retro Cycle and Repairs, added: "I have been here about 11 months and things have gone pretty good. Things always quieten down after Christmas. I am thinking about taking a shop on in the town."
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of All Together Ellesmere, said: "Things are going well – we have got new stalls in there. We have got someone selling Cypriot food, someone selling DVDs and someone who does bike repairs.
"We had a meeting with stallholders the other week and they are all over the moon and have been very pleased since we took over. They say the market hall is more appealing and attractive, and encourages people to come in. People use it as a meeting place. It's become like a community hub."
Mr McMullan said the company leased the market hall from Shropshire Council and was likely to decide whether it wished to take over the building completely in 12 months time.
"We have just about got by financially this year so we will give it another year," he said. "If everything goes to plan we will decide whether to take over it completely.
"If we do then we will be able to look at outside investment. I would also like to get a mezzanine floor in."
He added he was keen for people to hire the building for functions.
