Issue 439 – Giant market to open on trading estate

WESTBURY’S new weekly market is to be launched with a charity fun day on Saturday 18th July.
Displays from the army and emergency services, alongside bouncy castles and children’s entertainment will herald the opening of what market organisers Northacre Trading Co. are hoping will rival the likes of Standerwick Market near Frome.

Entry donations made by the public on the day will be given to Help the Heroes.
“It’s going to be huge, and it will be great for Westbury,” said organiser Laurence Williams, who will be running the market with business partner Ivon Barnsley.
The market will run every Saturday and Sunday on two acres of hard-standing at the entrance to the Northacre Trading Estate, near The Ham, Westbury. With space for around 300 car boot pitches, organisers hope that the venture will turn into a thriving regular event drawing crowds from afar.
Laurence said, “If we can bring people in from Trowbridge, Melksham, Frome and wherever it should be good for the town as a whole.
“We are trying to bring in local produce and promote local companies. Even local retailers; if they want to come and sell their goods, they are welcome. We’ll be going round all the shops and garages in Westbury to see who we can get on side. It’s going to fly!”
Laurence said he was looking for traders to sell a wide variety of items including traditional food and children’s clothes, as well as a strong contingent of car boot sellers.
The hardstanding area, rented from nearby automotive company Techprep, is secured by an 8ft fence with three entrances. “It’s perfect,” said Laurence, “No more wet feet from walking around in grass!”
Wiltshire and town councillor Mike Cuthbert-Murray said he had been working closely with Northacre Trading Co. to advise them. He said “This is great news for Westbury. We’ve been trying for years to get a market here and now we’ve managed to pull it off.
“If people in Westbury support then it will work so we need people to come along and get it going. If people want to keep it they need to use it.”
The market will be open to the public from 9.00am-3.00pm with traders able to enter the site from 8.00am.
Prospective traders should call Northacre Trading co. on 01373 865595.