Llanidloes Charter Market has "lot of potential that is currently missed", a businessowner has told councillors.

File and File Metal Design owner Yvonne shared her ideas with Llanidloes Town Council about introducing a team to take the market forward with online marketing and face-to-face engagement, and "bring life and build an atmosphere" on market days.

She suggested creating a Llanidloes Charter Market welcome pack which would layout the management's expectations, prices, opening hours, as well as details of any loyalty schemes for regular traders.

Yvonne said creating a mailing list for traders and customers, and a social media presence such as Instagram could have a "huge" impact on footfall and would be a "great tool to keep tourists in the town rather than venture around".

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She praised town councillor Graham Davies for his dedication to the role as market manager. "He is well known and gives time generously," she said. "He does really well on a Saturday.

"He welcomes traders and everything he does is with enthusiasm and experience. I in no way want to step on his toes.

"But I am well placed to gain feedback from tourists, market traders and business owners. It’s ticked over for some time, and it is nothing like the bustling market when I was younger.

"I am fully aware small towns like Llanidloes are fighting to survive and there’s a higher expectation than ever for peoples’ money who are careful how and when to spend."

Yvonne added: "The market belongs to the town and Llanidloes is very much on the up.

"People love our town and a lot have moved to the area. There are interesting businesses and history, and there's loads of tourism accommodation that have started in the area.

"There is a lot of potential that is currently missed. A lot of time and money goes into a business. A lot of businesses are keen to get involved. I ask you [the town council] to look at structure of that to build strong team to take market forward for the community."

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Mayor Cllr Jamie Jones thanked Yvonne for her “very thorough and inspiring” presentation. He added: “Such fabulous ideas to enhance what we already have”.

Cllr Gareth Morgan added: “The ideas are good and if they were worked together it would benefit the town. It’s lovely to see the town alive on a Saturday morning but there has not been a lot of life in recent times with the bad weather.”

Cllr Graham Davies told the council: “Everywhere is quiet. But Llanidloes is a unique market. More stalls are coming, like jeweller, but the weather has been shocking.”

He suggested that Yvonne share her “great” ideas with the charter market committee at their next meeting.