Younger customers needed for markets to succeed
Wednesday 8th September 2010, 10:55AM BST.
Oswestry’s markets need to attract younger traders and customers if they are to have a strong future, a council report into their fight for survival says.
The town’s indoor and outdoor markets have been hit by the opening of two budget stores in the town over the last 12 months.
However, an Oswestry Town Council report shows that the markets are still doing better than many in Britain.
A business plan which will go before councillors tonight, puts forward a raft of measures to attract more shoppers to the Bailey Head and Powis Hall stalls.
Part of the revitalisation will involve the revamp of the indoor market involving the national MyDeco competition, won by the indoor Powis Hall market.
Markets manager, David Clough, in a draft business plan said that while Oswestry’s outdoor market has seen the number of stalls halve in the past 10 years to 24 traders, the nearby Wrexham market has shrunk by 77 per cent.
“This situation is not unique to Oswestry as nationally the market business is in decline. Oswestry Market has been particularly hit by the introduction of two large retail stores that sell budget homeware items, formally the nucleus of the market,” the report says.
One success is the monthly Farmers’ Market which has seen a recent influx of new stalls.
Plans to attract ambitious traders include offering incentives to new traders and rewarding existing loyal ones.
“Young traders will be encouraged by working with local schools and universities and other plans including making the market a Wi-fi area.”
Special events to attract more people have already taken place this year and others are in the pipeline.
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Is this the same town council whose saying that the markets have been hit by the opening of budget stores, but are behind a bid to build a supermarket etc.. on the smithfield which is out of town. Make your minds up!!
May be the heading should read :YOUNGER PEOPLE NEEDED FOR TOWN COUNCIL TO SUCEED.
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