Sainsbury’s building ruled out for Farmers Market
The building has stood empty for six years after the supermarket’s sudden closure, and last month it was raised as a possible location for a potential Farmers Market idea.
But at last night’s Events and Planning Committee meeting, town councillors seemed to have already gone off the idea after a report from Events, Planning and Market Officer, Kimberly Wright.
“Despite multiple attempts to contact the owners of the former Sainsbury’s building, Welshpool Town Council has received no response,” said Ms Wright, adding that it was felt the Corn Exchange in the Town Hall was considered the most suitable location.
She explained that a craft and makers’ market was held at the Corn Exchange back in 2023 but had no feedback in official minutes of meetings as to how it went.
And it was evident in the chamber last night that there was very little appetite for doing it again.
Cllr Morag Bailey said: “I think it is entirely feasible that we could hold a Farmers Market in the Corn Exchange, but I wouldn’t want us to go much further without us actually assessing what demand would be from people, and what demand would there be from farmers to do it?”
The Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, agreed and also took a cautious tone saying that bigger suppliers may mean more complicated measures to be taken like food hygiene certificates and refrigerators on site.
Cllr Phil Pritchard said that the 2023 market “wasn’t well attended” and reminded councillors that it “created a conflict between them and the traders already in the Town Hall” selling the same items.
He added that: “We should consult with them first before we decide anything”.
Cllr Jackson Quarrell suggested the Town Council should liaise with the National Farmers Union to ask their members for any interest in the initiative.
Councillors agreed not to bin the idea yet, and asked Ms Wright to carry out more research and report back at next month’s meeting.
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