At the start of the year the monthly market in The Square was facing a crisis after stalls dwindled to just 10.
But since being taken over by Asterley Events support has grown for the market which prides itself on the quality of its wares.
On the first Friday of every month, from 9am till 4pm, local producers flock to The Square to give the town a taste of what they have to offer, bringing shoppers an alternative to the big supermarkets.
Councillor David Farmer with Stuart Jones
And new to the farmers’ market tomorrow, Friday, are Salop Pickle Works, of Bayston Hill, Shropshire-based The Snoggable Garlic Company and Staffordshire-based Cottage Delight.
Stuart Jones, market organiser from Asterley Events, told the Chronicle he took over the running of the market in February and has seen the number of stalls treble to more than 30.
He said: “Most of the stallholders at the market come from within 10 miles of Shrewsbury. The person that looks after the animal and makes the product is the person selling it, and the supermarkets are not marketing it all for them.
“Quality is the main selling point of the market as well as a number of hefty award winners. A lot of people are using it as their monthly shop and a lot of the stalls sell out by 3pm. We’ve got people ringing and emailing every month wanting to come and we have got three new companies for this month.”
There are many well-known local producers among the stallholders including Wroxeter Vineyard, Bonbonniere hand-made chocolates and Fordhall Farm meats.
More recent stallholders include The Shropshire Cheese Company and Stokes of Ellesmere Pork Pies.
Membership and audit fees have been scrapped and a flat payment has been introduced, with VAT exemptions for small producers.
Mr Jones, a full-time farmer, added that pulling together was part of the market’s success.
“We have ongoing and very constructive support from Shropshire Council and Councillor David Farmer, president of the National Association of British Market Authorities, who is always on the end of the telephone if you have any problems or need guidance,” he said.
At a time when supermarket giants like Tesco and Sainsbury’s bid for an evenlarger slice of the retail trade, it’s reasurring to know there are opportunities for small independent traders to flourish.
Mr Jones added: “The stallholders are friendly and very welcoming whether it is pouring it down with rain, or snow on the ground. Supermarkets are becoming so powerful now and I think markets are important as there are people working seven days a week to produce these things.
“I would ask people to support our local producers at a time when local producers are being squeezed by main retailers.”
The farmers’ market will be open tomorrow, Friday, from 9am until 4pm, in The Square, Shrewsbury.
By Charlotte Hester