A NEW indoor market is being launched in Church Stretton.

The new market will open today (Thursday, March 14) and follows a successful pilot last year.

Held in the Scout Hut in Church Street the monthly market will give local artists, crafts people and small businesses an opportunity to showcase their wares in a dry and safe environment away from the elements, said organiser Sandy Pearse, a semi-retired businesswoman who lives in the town.

“The indoor market will be held on Thursdays to coincide with the outdoor market in the Square, so that people can enjoy both”, she said.

“It will provide better cover for artists and crafts people who are concerned about displaying their delicate creations in the open air, and it will provide a nice local, friendly facility with disabled access for residents and visitors to the town.

“The stalls are fully booked for the first market. There will be art on display, as well as jewellery, glassware, hand-crafted wooden gifts, hand-made cards, home-made cakes, knitting and crochet yarns, haberdashery, and many original gift ideas.”

“There is already a great demand for the stalls and if the market proves popular with the public we may decide to hold it more frequently.”

“We ran it as a pilot between October and December last year and the feedback was very positive.”

The market will be open from 9am until around 2pm. Further dates are April 14, May 19 and June 16.

Anyone who wants to book a stall for future markets should email sandypearse3@hotmail.com or ring Sandy on 01694 723806.