Welshpool’s Monday street market has returned, but town planners admit it is taking longer than expected to recapture its bustling heyday.
The outdoor market returned to Broad Street last month and was officially opened by the Mayor a fortnight back, but yesterday only four stalls selling a mixture of fruit & veg, warm food and household goods were trading.
Not good enough, according to one resident who expressed her disappointment by email to us.
“I was really excited when I read on mywelshpool that the street market was returning but where are the stalls?” she said.
Town planners have asked residents to be patient and insist that more are on the way.
“The market will grow over the coming weeks as we are getting people organised to come,” said Town Clerk Robert Robinson. “However, the price of fuel has hit many from travelling, not just in Welshpool but other markets as well. Things do not happen overnight and the feedback I have from our street traders is positive.
“After 40 years plus without a street market the return is a good thing but it will take time to come back fully. The recession is still affecting trade, not only in Welshpool but countrywide.”
In the meantime, the Market Village inside the Town Hall continues to be open for business Monday-Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mr Robinson confirmed that Welshpool has written to the Welsh Assembly to apply for the town centre one-way system to become a 20mph zone.
“We have been looking at speed and think this is something that needs to be done sooner rather than later and we now await the response,” he said.