I feel I have to write in reply to Robina Cooke’s letter in the County Times concerning the demise of Welshpool’s Monday market.
Without wanting to rubbish her claims, I take exception to her comments, and feel as I trade successfully five days a week in Welshpool market I am in a good position to offer a reply.
Welshpool Saturday markets are now normally full to capacity with traders, and indeed some Saturdays casual traders struggle to find a vacant pitch. So much so, Welshpool Town Council is running successful monthly table top sales in the Corn Exchange to accommodate the overflow of casual car boot type traders.
Welshpool Monday markets are expanding each week with new traders, and recently there has been an influx of new lines and new faces.
Moreover, the town clerk has introduced, since Easter, a new weekly Friday market which is growing each week, and will go from strength to strength.
So before Robina Cooke takes a swipe at Welshpool Monday market, I say stop and take a walk around it and see what there is to offer.
There are lots of new faces and lines, like Wendy with the toys and Harry with ladies’ and gents’ underwear. Then there is David with a great selection of books and Phil with a wide selection of men’s clothing.
Add to them old stalwarts like Pete with books and toys, Sue’s ethnic stall together with Dave’s cheese and bread, the Simmering Cauldron, Bron’s crafts, Keith’s tools, fruit and veg, plants, watch repairs, the WI and a sweet stall, you will see there is something for everyone of all ages and walks of life.
I personally successfully sell a wide selection of CDs, DVDs, records and much more. In addition I promote and compere sell out country and western shows in the Town Hall, and I’m pleased to say that despite being in the middle of the worst recession since the 1930s, business is booming for me and many of my colleagues.
We are fortunate to have a supportive market superintendent who, through applying common sense, leads by example and holds everything together and leads us forward, supported by a positive town council market committee.
Soon the market is to expand further and will trade as a six-day a week mini shopping centre, with retail shop units replacing the old market stalls.
So, in conclusion, I say forget for the moment the looming Tesco approaching on the horizon and all the hype it brings with it. Take a fresh look at Welshpool market on Mondays and indeed Friday and Saturday. Talk to the traders, offer your ideas, listen to our comments and we will grow together for the last three months of 2009 and into 2010.