New stalls may aid market

Oswestry’s new street stalls could lead to the rejuvenation of the town’s markets despite initial teething troubles, it has been claimed.

Traders have been slow to take up the chance to sell their wares closer to the main shopping centre since the introduction of the new stalls running down Bailey Street. Some shopkeepers fear the move will affect their custom.

But Oswestry town councillors say they are convinced the street market is already wooing more shoppers and will boost trade in the town as a whole.

Despite yesterday’s rain there was brisk trade for the stallholders at the outdoor market.

The town council, which runs the markets in Oswestry, won permission to site some of the Bailey Head stalls down the street to try to stem the decline in the market.

But in the first two weeks just three traders and a charity stall took advantage.

However, by week five numbers had grown to five traders occupying seven stalls with interest now coming from others.

Mrs Holloway said there had been some objections but the Bailey Street stallholders were extremely pleased with the trade.

Councillor Keith Barrow said he was convinced the move would be a success.

“This could be the first step to rejuvenation of the market,” he said.

“We are always slow to try new things in Oswestry but when people get used to it we will wish we had done this years ago.”