Oswestry market brings in £10 stalls and WiFi

With the indoor Powis Hall market full the council, which runs the operation, is now turning its attention to attracting new stallholders to the outdoor markets on the Bailey Head.

About 20 traders a week set up their stalls on the Bailey Head each Wednesday, while the smaller, Saturday market attracts a dozen each week.

Although numbers are holding their own compared to last year, the market, like others across Britain, has seen a decline over the past two decades as shoppers turn to supermarkets and the internet.

Oswestry Town Council's markets and car parks committee, which meets tonight, will debate a report on attracting new market traders.

Markets manager, Mr David Clough, said that staff had visited markets in Ellesmere, Wrexham and Whitchurch recently with the aim of attracting new outdoor traders to Oswestry.

"This has produced positive results already and further markets will be visited when possible," he said.

"The 'Stalls for a Tenner' campaign has really helped in attracting some new traders. But the problem often lies in keeping the traders once they have visited as often their takings have been disappointing."

The council has also enrolled on the national 'First Pitch' scheme which involves the market supporting any new trader wishing to start a business with a advice and a special rent scheme.

To attract shoppers Mr Clough said there would be a Love Your Local Market fortnight in May, specialist events throughout the year, from continental to antique markets and said the council was working with community groups, schools and colleges to raise awareness.

Councillors will also debate together whether to introduce a free WiFi zone at the markets. At the moment people can log into the WiFi at a cost of £1 a day.