THE first few weeks of Wednesday summer markets in Westbury High Street have gone “really well”, organisers say, with good feedback being reported.
People browsed stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, olives, organic cosmetics, Westbury Shed wares, sweets and treats.
The markets, which started on June 9th and will run for six weeks, are taking place on a Wednesday from 8am to 2pm and will also now feature cakes and brownies, preserves and chutneys and bathroom smellies. Live music is also played through the lunchtime hours.
They have been organised to welcome people back to the town centre following lockdown and to help booster local shops and businesses.
Westbury Council events manager, Ryan Child, told White Horse News, “It went really well. We are working on making it a really positive thing for the people and businesses in Westbury and want to work together with everyone to make that happen. Feedback was really good in general. At the first market we had five stalls, but have added another three now.”
Town mayor, cllr Sheila Kimmins, told White Horse News, the council wanted people to come and support local shops, adding that the market stalls were selling items that aren’t already sold in the high street area, such as olives, cheeses and fresh vegetables.
She added that with the town’s new homes and new people moving in, the town council want people to use the local shops rather than drive to Trowbridge to shop.
Martin McGiff from Westbury Shed, a stall holder at the market said, “We gave out leaflets and sold some planters and got chatting to Westbury folk about what we do.”
Claire Rumary from Cards Plus, said, “We are trying to stay positive and hope it will bring lots of new people into the high street and therefore into the shops we have available.”
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.
