Having collected two accolades, in recognition of their efforts to help the town adapt to change and flourish, organisers of the Wilmslow Artisan Market are now in the running for a prestigious national award.
The monthly market, which celebrated its first birthday last week, beat off stiff competition to win this year's Action for Market Town's award in the Business and Economy Category and was also a joint zone winner for the West of England region.
Organisers Denise Valente and Vicky Jackson set up the market in July 2011, after many months of planning, obtaining permissions and sourcing quality traders, because they wanted to make a difference to their town.
Denise Valente said "Like many others across the UK Wilmslow was suffering at the hands of internet shopping, out of town shopping centres like the Trafford Centre and Handforth Dean, parking charges and a lack of draw to our local residents.
"We wanted to create an event to pull people back into the town and keep them there for longer."
Denise and Vicky attended a Town Centre Solutions Workshop on Tuesday, 24th July, where they were presented with their two awards.
They also gave a presentation about the Wilmslow Artisan Market to the Action for Market Town's management team and other members from across the West Zone of England. Their presentation will be judged against the overall winners of the other zones in the UK.
They are competing against a variety of initiatives including a pirate festival, a tourist information centre and library, a shop local initiative, a local lottery and an empty shops initiative for the national prize.
The overall UK winner will be announced at the Action for Market Towns' National Convention in October, by historian and television presenter David Starkey, so Denise and Vicky just have to wait and see if they have won.
Speaking about why they decided to enter the awards, Denise Valente said "Action for Market Towns is an organization focused on improving the health and long term future of traditional high streets and town centres. Its aims mirror what we set out to do.
"The award scheme is set up to recognise and showcase initiatives that are helping our small towns adapt to change and flourish. We felt that what we have achieved here in Wilmslow is a shining example of what can be done to bring people back into the town."
The market has certainly succeeded in creating a great atmosphere and drawing the crowds into Wilmslow, whilst the number of traders has grown in the past year from 54 at the first market to 130 local traders this month, many of whom are Wilmslow entrepreneurs.
Denise and Vicky are also in demand to expand their business. They have held two artisan markets in Middlewich and have one more planned August 25th.
Denise said "The response has been overwhelming and we are now in talks to confirm a permanent monthly market event for the forseeable future.
"Middlewich, despite being demographically very different to Wilmslow, has reacted in the same way. It has brought life back to its ailing high street and Jonathan Williams, Middlewich Town Clerk, described the market as 'the best thing to have ever happened in Middlewich'."
They are also in talks with Handforth Parish Council and Knutsford Town Council about setting up markets there and have been approached by a number of other towns across Cheshire East and West, as well as Derbyshire.
Last year's winners of the Action for Market Town's awards received lots of press coverage and several were held up as exemplary projects at a parliamentary reception, so it is hoped that winning these awards could help to put Wilmslow on the map as a top shopping and visitor destination.
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Pity you can't offer coaching to Cheshire East Council which seem to be completely unable to think of, much less deliver, anything of reasonable cost and that the residents actually want.
Looking forward to a fantastic, exciting Christmas Fair please.