Wilmslow's first artisan market on Saturday has been hailed an overwhelmingly success.
Organised by Vicky Jackson and Denise Valente, the market totally exceeded expectations. Grove Street was heaving with people all day and many of the traders had completely sold out by lunchtime.
Denise Valente said "The feedback from both residents and visitors was just the most heart moving I have experienced. It made every minute of effort thoroughly worth it to see and feel Wilmslow bustling with energy and vibrancy which is exactly what we had aspired to achieve all those months ago.
'The best thing to have happened in Wilmslow in a long time', was one quote that I heard repeated many times throughout the day and Steve 'The Flower Man', who has a stall on Grove Street 6 days a week, told me 'it was the busiest he had ever seen Grove Street in 10 years'.
"The market traders were all completely bowled over by what we achieved, most of which visit the 'best' markets across the region, and without exception everyone wants a permanent pitch at Wilmslow's future markets.
"Many have booked double the space with a view to bringing more staff and more produce. Twelve traders sold out by lunchtime, despite returning for additional stock four times. This was across the board including: jewellery, soaps, candles, pies, burgers, mushrooms, fruit and veg.
No-one had expected the footfall that the market attracted, particularly given it was the first day of the school holidays, when many people head off for a summer break, and the RHS Flower Show was taking place at Tatton Park.
There were 51 of the best traders in the region present at this first market and such was the response that 87 requests for pitches have already been received for the next market on Saturday 20th August.
Rhea Durrington-Hayes, who had a stall at the market, said "The residents I spoke to all seemed to be thrilled at the prospect of having a regular market back in the area. One lady said she had lived in Wilmslow for over six decades and thought she would never see the area come back to life, she was quite moved looking at all the people and traders!"
Oliver Doyle added "Saturday's market was an amazing success. I sold out at 1pm and it was the busiest I've seen Wilmslow ever. I had a lot of repeat business from people who came to the fun day out (at The Carrs last week) and tried my pies.
"A woman who bought some of my pies commented they were the best she had ever tasted, so I can't get better feedback than that."
Many of the town's retailers also had a great day, benefitting from the huge numbers of visitors to the town centre, including Sainsbury's which saw a 5% increase in like for like sales.
Simon Carr, Manager at Hoopers, told me "Usually on a Saturday the town is quiet until late morning but not this Saturday, from about 9.30am there was a nice buzz around town.
"I walked down Grove Street at about 10am and the scene was like a French market town. People were sat out at the coffee shops and the market was very busy. The produce was amazing and was selling at a fast rate.
"The market certainly brought an increased footfall to the town and kept people shopping. The store was very busy from first thing and we had a very good trading day. The customers I spoke to had nothing but praise for the market and would be supporting it in the future as would we as a store in Wilmslow."
Vicky Jackson said "It was incredible seeing Grove Street so full of life and the day completely exceeded our expectations in every way. It was such a pleasure to witness how the stallholders enthusiasm and passion for their products was truly embraced by the people of Wilmslow."
Denise added "I think we have raised the bar for markets across our region. We have done what we set out to do, we have made Wilmslow a destination again!"
The next Artisan market will be held on Saturday 20th August from 10am until 4pm on Grove Street. More quality stallholders will be attending, with much higher stock levels, and new attractions will include a workshop by Incredible Edible and live entertainment by local singer Dan Williams.
Dates for future markets can be found in our events calendar.
For further information email Denise or Vicky, or visit www.specialistmarket.co.uk.
Comments
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By the time that we were leaving at 11:45, the "pie man" had sold out and some other stalls had sold much of their wares. Of course, we spent far more than we had intended, but everything seemed so attractive. My wife and I were totally overloaded, making our way back to the car park at the Leisure Centre.
We have eaten rather too much "rich food" purchased there since the weekend!!
I understand that this is now to be a monthly event on the third week of every month.