In pictures: transformation for historic Shropshire market founded by Henry III
Changes include a new café and new stalls.
A Shropshire market has undergone a major transformation which has brought new traders and visitors to the market and “created a buzz that it hasn’t experienced in years”.
Ellesmere was granted its Royal Market Charter by Henry III in 1221. The current Victorian market building was built in 1879 by the Countess of Bridgewater to replace an older open-air market held outside the town hall.
Earlier this year, Shropshire Council acquired back its interest in Ellesmere Market Hall and is now managing it directly.
The council has worked with traders it has set about overseeing changes to improve the market’s layout, operation, viability and appeal.
The indoor market has attracted new traders in recent months which has boosted the quality and variety of independent businesses. The changes have led to increased visitor numbers and put the market on a solid footing for the future.
Based inside an attractive Victorian building in Scotland Street, the market opens three days a week. Tuesdays, 8am – 2pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, 10am – 3pm.
“Ellesmere Market Hall is a very special place. It is set inside a beautiful building and is very much rooted in its local community,” said Market Manager Kate Gittins who previously managed the national award-winning Shrewsbury Market Hall. “Ellesmere market is home to a remarkable and resilient group of traders who have poured a lot of time, love, energy and hard work into making the market a success. We have enjoyed working with them, building on their talents and skills, to take the market forward to the next level.
“Existing traders have improved and expanded their offering, and they have been joined by new traders, boosting the appeal and variety of stalls. The changes have created a buzz that the market hasn’t experienced in years.”
Key changes include existing traders establishing a popular new café and shop selling quality local farm produce; the expansion of bicycle sales and repair store Mere Cycles; the addition of artisan food seller Dutton’s Fine Foods and key-cutting services and the move of craft shop the Crafty Spider from the high street into the market hall.
Recent new stalls include an angling store established by professional angling coach Eric Brown, a pre-loved women’s clothing boutique and an expansion of the number of art and craft stalls including artisan silver jewellery makers and glass artists.
Other key businesses include Italian artisan deli La Triestina; Mere Gifts & Bags selling home décor and handbags; Indian street food and Rodney Stokes and Mark Watson who have both been trading in the market on Tuesdays for decades. Rodney has legendary status for his gourmet pork pies and sausages while Mark specialises in local eggs, cheese and butter.
The market has a core of around 25 permanent stalls as well as regular pop-up stalls that vary on different market days.
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