Community spirit expanding local economy

Mark Whittle, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, has said that shops in the town are expanding to bigger premises and continuing to fill empty buildings.

He said: "Businesses are diversifying and they are expanding more and more.

"A lot of them are moving premises to cope with the increase in business and it's really great to see.

"And a lot of it is down to all the events we have on in the town - for such a small market town, there's so many fantastic things to come and do.

"People really pull together and it has shown."

Why is Market Drayton doing so well? How could this example improve other empty town centres? Leave your comments below.

The news comes after the announcement that lingerie boutique, The Rose on Cheshire Street will be closing on August 30, after manager Jill Perry decided to call time because of health issues.

But it won't be left empty as many people feared. Instead, Shropshire Street based business Festour will be taking over the premises to cope with its expanding customer base.

Nick Cooper, manager, said: "We've decided to move their because it's the perfect place for us to keep expanding with the barns behind.

"The embroidery and printing services part of the business has taken off, and it's been staring us in the face saying that this is where the money is coming in.

"So we won't be doing our festival and fancy dress side from the shop anymore, that will be done by going to festivals and fetes.

"We need to put bigger machines and equipment in the new premises because we've been getting bigger clients and contracts.

"It's a no brainer really - our embroidery and printing is the area to expand and we'll be taking on some new staff as well."

Festour's current premises is already being considered by multiple parties and should not leave an empty building once the business moves next month.

And according to Mr Whittle, business expansion in the town should keep on increasing.

He said: "With the new jobs we've got coming into the town it is money that will be injected directly into Market Drayton.

"It all gels together when you think about it.

"A lot of shops have diversified like Festour as well, and they are expanding the bits that are doing well.

" The small shops are moving into the bigger premises and it is very very good to see."

Recently, Councillor Roger Hughes also said how pleased he was to see the town "bucking the trend" of empty shops, with more and more filling up each month, thanks to the help of council grants.