A Farmers’ Market ‘shouldn’t impact current traders’

A warning has been issued by a senior councillor that should Welshpool Town Council host a Farmers’ Market, it should be done so with the full backing of current market traders.

The local authority has been mulling over the idea this year, but it is failing to gather momentum and at last night’s Events & Planning meeting, Cllr Phil Pritchard issued a stark warning.

“If we are to do it, we have to be very careful not to upset the (market) traders,” he said. “They are the one who have kept the market going for quite some time.”

Events & Markets Manager Kimberly Wright told councillors that after the indoor market traders’ meeting, held on March 23, the response from traders was “mixed”.

“Some traders believe it to be a good idea, and a great way of encouraging trade. Other traders were concerned that it would have a negative impact on their business, as they are already selling produce such as milk, cheese, honey, chutneys, fruit, vegetables and jam,” she said, adding that she had not received any replies from several farming organisations to gauge interest.

Cllr Bill Rowell said that he had been involved in a Farmers Market in Much Wenlock that was hosted by the town council there in response to requests from the farmers.

“I don’t think it works the other way around,” he warned.

The Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, floated the idea of holding one in the Corn Exchange on the same weekend as the Continental Market.

It was decided to keep the item alive for now on the agenda, with Ms Wright to continue her research to gauge demand from the farming community.