Make or break for centuries-old Oswestry outdoor market
It has a history going back centuries but Oswestry's famous outdoor market is in crisis. The market at Bailey Head must be rescued or disbanded, councillors have warned.
Oswestry Town Council uses its website to champion the attraction as a "major part" of the area's identity.
But the boom times for the market have gone and a stark message has gone out as the town council was given the latest figures on how many traders have attended the Wednesday and Saturday open air markets this year.
On average there have been 14 stalls on Wednesdays and just nine on Saturdays over the past 12 months.
And matters came to a head on February 22 when just three traders turned up at Bailey Head in the heavy rain, with four on February 25, again in wet, windy weather.
There are hopes that the weekly markets can move down into Bailey Street and attract more footfall, which in turn could bring in more stallholders.
But this depends on the town council taking over responsibility for street trading rights, which are currently held by Shropshire Council.
At a meeting of the markets and car parks committee of Oswestry Town Council, councillors agreed that the trading figures were bleak.
Markets manager, David Clough said the weather did affect numbers and said that this Wednesday had seen good weather and plenty of stallholders.
Councillor Amanda Woof said she had been at the Shrewsbury Farmers' market on Friday.
"It was wet but there were plenty of stallholders and plenty of shoppers. We really need to rescue our markets or disband them," she said.
Councillor Cynthia Hawksley said that on a brighter note the Artisan Market, held on the last Friday of each month had seen an increase in traders with 16 in February.
Mr Clough said that the popular Shropshire produce market was returning on April 15 and said the market had just launched a new 'app' to help with advertising.
Mayor, Councillor Paul Milner, said the drop in the number of traders was not only bad for the town, it was bad for the council.
"We are losing money in stall rental. We need to look seriously at how we can revive our markets," he said. Councillors will discuss the street trading regulations at a special full council meeting in April.
Markets have been a major part of the trading and historical importance of Oswestry and have existed for many centuries.
The first known charter was granted during the reign of Henry II when the town was known as Whiteminster.
In 1262 a charter was granted by John FitzAlan, Lord of the Manor to the village of Oswaldestree.
