WESTBURY is opening a new weekly market in the high street to welcome people back to the town centre following lockdown and help bolster local shops and businesses.
The new Westbury Market will run from 8am to 2pm every Wednesday for six weeks, starting on June 9th.
Fare being sold will include fresh local fruit and vegetables, hot food, sweets, and the best products from local cake makers and artisans. Live music will also be playing through the lunchtime hours.
Westbury Town Council’s events manager, Ryan Child said, “This is something we have been planning for a while and I’m happy we are finally able to get it going. The markets are just the start of some exciting events for Westbury in the next 12 months.”
Town mayor, Sheila Kimmins, told White Horse News, “We want people to come and support our local shops. The stalls will be selling things that aren’t already sold in the high street area, such as olives, cheeses and fresh vegetables.
“We’ve got some fantastic shops in the high street. Shops like Cards Plus and Elliots Butchers stayed open throughout the pandemic and did deliveries. We are trying to support the shops who supported us.
“We’ve also got new homes and new people moving in and we want people to use the local shops rather than drive to Trowbridge to shop.”
The markets will be held throughout the summer, then on September 25th Westbury town centre will host the first ever Wiltshire Chilli Fest with Extra Cheese, subject to Covid restrictions. Residents, businesses, schools and community groups have claimed free chilli seeds from the town council for a competition to grow the best chilli plant in town.
The contest will be judged by the experts at Wiltshire Chilli Farm, who have provided the special Loco chilli seeds for the inaugural chilli competition.
The Wiltshire Chilli Fest with Extra Cheese will bring the region’s hottest chilli fanatics together for a day of great food and music.
Meanwhile, councillors, local residents and business owners have welcomed the news of the new high street markets.
Town cllr Jane Russ said, “It’s been a long term aim of mine to get this brought forward – I’ve been involved with it for about three years. At the council we were doing a lot of background work but the time wasn’t right to get it up and running.
“My feeling is anything that raises interest and the profile of the high street is good news – but it’s not a quick fix and you have to be consistent with these things.
“I think people who run shops and businesses in the high street will see it as a plus too. If people are coming to buy carrots they will then go to a cafe and have a coffee.
“We learned from lockdown that we like things that are local and have a proper connection to us.”
Cllr Russ added it would be good to get local people who make and sell goods online involved.
Resident Samantha Graham told White Horse News, “I think it’s a great idea for the town, I would definitely visit.”
Leah Jennings from the town’s Jennings Fun Fair said, “I think the market will be a great addition to Westbury. I will go to have a browse around and support local businesses.”
