Artisan Market set to return bigger and better

Wilmslow's Artisan Market returns on Saturday and promises to be an even bigger and better family event.

Organisers Denise Valente and Vicky Jackson came up with the idea of putting on the market in Wilmslow to increase the number of people choosing to come into the town, rather than visiting out-of–town shopping malls.

Speaking with retailers after last month's event they certainly achieved their aim with some retail businesses recording increased takings of over 25% on market day.

Denise explained "By providing a regular monthly event where people can browse and buy artisan produce and soak up the market atmosphere, within the confines of the retail layout, we are hoping to put the vibrant heart back into Wilmslow and make the town a regular bustling shopping destination once again."

Feedback from both the shoppers and retailers after the first market day in July was overwhelmingly positive.

Comments from local residents included; "It's put the soul back into the town", "just what Wilmslow has needed", "the best thing to have happened in town for a long, long time", "its brought Wilmslow to life again" and "the busiest I have seen Grove Street in over 20 years".

Following the event Denise and Vicky canvassed Wilmslow retailers to obtain information about how the market had affected their sales, suggestions for improvements and ideas of how retailers could become more involved.

They spoke to over 50 retail premises, nearly 80% of which indicated they had witnessed an increase in footfall, many by as much as 15%, and over 60% of businesses experienced an increase in takings compared to the same time last year - some businesses saw takings increase by over 15%.

The majority of businesses requested that the market should run for longer and be held more frequently.

The second Artisan Market will take place on Saturday, 20th August, and will be even bigger than the first with over 80 specialist traders set up along Grove Street and Bank Square bringing new and varied produce.

Denise and Vicky are also planning to incorporate as many of the recommendations received from retailers, traders and shoppers as possible.

This weekend the market will also host a number of workshops run by Incredible Edible who will be sharing their aspirations on making Wilmslow a place where we can celebrate and learn about growing food locally.

Every half an hour throughout the day there will be guest speakers covering a range of topics from growing your own chickens, the basics about fruit trees and making your own compost.

There will also be activities for the children and live music again from local singer Dan Williams.

The market will be open from 10am until 4pm and dates for future markets can be found in our events calendar.

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Artisan Market, Market, Wilmslow Artisan Market, Wilmslow Market