Shropshire's market traders make stand

But despite the trends, traders in Shropshire are doing all they can to save their markets, the halls they use and the accompanying market town status.

Ellesmere is just one town where the fight is on to keep the market alive. Traders have seen footfall at the weekly market plummet over the years and are now desperate to get more people through the doors.

But there is plenty of spirit on show, both from the characters who run the stalls and the loyal customers.

Chairman of All Together Ellesmere, Lincoln McMullan said the community interest company was doing what it could to keep things running, but it is now a case of "use it or lose it".

He said: "It used to be a lot bigger – we had rows and traders right back to the walls. It was always full in here.

"We have had some new stalls come and we are just hoping they stay now.

"We are trying to do what we can – the market hall has been repainted and a kitchen has been installed and it has been rewired. So it is all here, but not enough people are coming to buy.

"It is a vicious circle. Buyers say there aren't enough traders but there aren't enough people coming to buy to keep the stalls going.

"We are trying to develop the market more and as long as people keep supporting it we will be here.

"As long as people come the traders will come."

But traders admit they may not have the desire to stay if things don't pick up soon.

Stan Galach, who runs Gwalia Books, has been a market trader for 20 years and said things have gone downhill for a number of years.

He said: "The whole thing is changing, it used to be that you would make lots of money from markets now it is just a few coppers. The days of the market are limited.

"I have a site online as well and I seem to do much better online now. I still do quite a lot of books and CDs and DVDs, I tend to find online streaming hasn't affected me that much.

"Books still sell well, as people will always want books."

Jan Oliver, 65, of Oak Drive in Ellesmere, runs the Royal British Legion tea stall and said while she still enjoys it things have changes a great deal.

If the town was to lose the market, it would have a knock on effect on the branch's fundraising efforts.

She said: "The problem is the lack of stall holders doesn't encourage people to come. It could be online shopping and supermarkets that is doing it.

"But it is a community together thing. It really depends on the townspeople if a market will survive.

"If people don't support it we will lose it, but so many are trying to keep it going. Maybe we need to get more of a variety of stalls to get families in.

"It is a great fundraiser for the legion and we would really struggle if the market went, it might mean we would go. It would be so sad if the market was to go."

Azeez Hakeem, 65, has been a stall holder at the market for seven years and lives in Wem.

He said: "Most market customers tend to be elderly. The problem is you don't get many youngsters in.

"It is a case of redirecting them away from supermarkets and stop them from looking online to shop.

"I do four markets and they are all in north Shropshire.

"The thing is that all of them get busy but are only busy for a couple of hours.

"I think it is a case of getting more traders and making as many people as possible aware of it."

All Together Ellesmere took over the running of the Ellesmere market hall, which had previously operated at a loss, in 2013 from Shropshire Council.

Work to tidy up the Scotland Street building has involved creating a new kitchen thanks to a grant of £11,620 from Shropshire Council's Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.

A number of towns received grants from the pot in a bid to boost their economy and help any struggling markets. Many residents are desperate to keep the "market town" status with many appearing on the top places to live and becoming more popular with first-time buyers and young families over the last decade

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Figures show market towns typically command a significant premium over their neighbouring towns.

In Oswestry, the market is well-known to be successful and councillors are now hoping it could move into one of the town's main streets in a bid to expand.

It's been held for more than a century on the historic Bailey Head and now organisers also want to use Bailey Street, which connects the area with the rest of the town.

Some traders have called for the move saying it would encourage more shoppers to walk up the street and visit both the Bailey Head and the indoor market.

And while Ellesmere market is struggling to attract traders and customers, some, including Rodney Stokes, 61, remain optimistic about the future.

Mr Stokes has been selling pies at Ellesmere market for 16 years and said there is "most definitely a future".

"It is winter time at the moment," he said. "It does always have an effect on the trade.

"But when the canal fills with boaters and sunshine starts it always gets busier.

"The thing with customers is many of them are elderly and when the older ones pass away we have to bring out new products to bring in the younger ones. But it is difficult for markets to attract traders because there will always be markets on in other places."

Lynne Scurry of 3 Tier Crafts said she still enjoyed being a market trader, despite the difficulties.

The 47-year-old said: "We do have loyal customers and some of the things I bring I just can't make enough they are so popular.

"It is about getting to know your customer.

"There is no chance the market will end, not while I am on this earth.

"We are lucky, we have people who care about the market."

"People need to support and go back to the old ways and back their community," added Maxine Chidlow, of Maxine's Fruit and Veg, from Higher Heath near Whitchurch.

"It is part of the community and people have lost what it is about.

"People are lazy, they have busy lives and just go to supermarkets."

She added that many fear prices will be drastically different to those in budget supermarkets, but after looking into the changes she found a weekly shop could be cheaper with herself, or as little as 20 pence difference.

Isobel Williams, of Isobel's Flowers, said: "I do quite well here. I have been here about 20 years and it has changed a lot especially with the footfall.

"It is not as good as it used to be. We could really do with staying open until 2pm but the problem is some traders don't want to and once one packs up they all pack up. We get a lot of elderly people in here and we have to rely on them really.

"But if we didn't have a market in Ellesmere, I think for a little town like us we would really miss it.

"The problem is people are just not supporting them.

"I just wish we could get more customers in here."

Chris Docking, of Craft Candy Heaven, from Whitchurch, said: "I do find then when there is talk about sugar tax my sales do dip slightly but then it bounces back.

"We need to try and attract the younger traders so they in turn attract younger customers as well.

"But we will never do without markets."