To have a direction is most welcome and the logic of re-launching all the markets together is understandable – but what are the shorter term goals for the Outdoor Market on Bailey Head.

It would make sense to get that into shape BEFORE the 2010 Re-Launch. To get a worthwhile PRODUCT before we spend money re-launching it, otherwise we’ll be back to square one.

Look forward to hearing other thoughts and comments.

COUNCIL EXPENDITURE ON MARKET PUBLICITY PROMOTION

This was also communicated in the LJC Feedback letter and in summary was:

2005/06: £1,339.50
2006/07: £1,785.00
2007/08: £3, 728.00
2008/09: £7,702.00

2007/08 increase being mainly down to Eco Bags, Shropshire Life and Oswestry Escape Brochure.
2008/09 increase being mainly £3700.00 for Market Fold-up bags.

Whilst the trader’s views are important, so are those of the customers and the administrators – all sides will have a unique perspective with a different set of values and criteria for success.

So hopefully, at some point – the earlier the better – MyDeco will hear not only from the Traders whom they have already consulted though questionnaires, but from customers & potential customers as to what they would like to see, hear, experience and buy in the Powis Hall.

Let’s not lose these ideas or “leave it to the experts”. MyDeco are wise enough not to exclude the very people a market is built for – customers and traders alike.

Full story

Report on plight of local markets

The question is: will the funding for Powis Hall be dragged into the Smithfield supermarket debate?

Anyone walking around Oswestry today, being assailed by Sainsbury’s on the one hand, huge Morrison’s adverts on the other, and topped off with a giant Tesco at Ellesmere advertising truck…would be in no doubt that Oswestry people are not short of options when it comes to supermarkets, and that doesn’t even include Stan’s!

So, it is hoped that Powis Hall funding is not made contingent on money from the Smithfield project. That would not be a good move.

After today’s MP’s report on the support for Local Markets, it is hoped that we can ALL grasp this opportunity with both hands!

Town clerk David Preston said the council recognised renovating the market was a larger job than the organisers had anticipated.

“And above all we need to create a vibrancy in the place that will attract shoppers back and help our market traders.”

BBC link…

In these days of one-stop and ‘pound land’ shopping, with the big stores grabbing the consumers attention, general markets have a hard time competing. When you are situated in and around a drab and un-inviting building it is all the harder!
I have traded on Oswestry for some 10 years now and am really quite passionate about it! Although not a Powis Hall trader, I was pro-active in the promotion of this competition as we are all ‘the market’ and will benefit from the improvements that are to be made.

So, where to from now? This is the start of re-generating our market, of getting people to want to come ‘up the Bailey’, of making people realise just what they can get from us. That’s not just in terms of products but service, knowledge, time to chat, getting a personal service. I think this should be used as an opportunity to completely re-think the whole market.We can make-over the indoors, improve the steps area but…with a poorly laid out, dated in appearance, half empty Bailey Head it will spoil the whole effect!

So…Let’s re-vamp the outdoor market too! In terms of lay-out, so that visually it is inviting. If we could use the pop-up stalls that are no longer needed for Bailey Street they are so much more attractive, although not suitable for every traders wares! That’s where planning and organisation come in! Lets get some local food producers to join us, I believe that talks have been taking place regarding that….lets progress it!

If we could achieve this at the same time as the launch of our re-vamped hall…WOW!!

A whole new Oswestry market.

Anne has been a creative and energetic supporter of the market having initiated and developed the wonderful Oswestry Market Directory which were going like hotcakes at the Food Festival.

Looking forward to hearing Anne’s perspective on the where-to-from-here for Oswestry markets…

So if you’re coming along to the food festival on Saturday or Sunday, and have never been to see the now nationally famous Powis Market Hall in it’s 160th Anniversary…then this is the time!

Have a pootle around – it’s becoming a fascinatingly diverse market.

Oh, by the way, John Hartshorn, the superb butchers at the front right of Powis Hall is preparing some special Festival sausages and a Juniper Cure bacon – miss it at your peril.

The Oswestry Food and Drink Festival 2009