Wilmslow Artisan Market has beaten competition from towns across the West of England to win two prestigious awards.
The monthly market, which was set up in July 2011, has won this year's Action for Market Town's award in the Business and Economy Category as well as being announced joint zone winner for the West of England region, in recognition of its efforts to nurture a thriving community.
In selecting Wilmslow Artisan Market, judges commented that it has "responded to threat of large out of town retail parks without looking at it in a negative way. Excellent and inspiring."
The Artisan Market was set up by Denise Valente and Vicky Jackson last year to address the decline in the town centre. They have worked tirelessly to bring a vibrant artisan market to Wilmslow, the aim of which was "to bring diversity and ambiance to Wilmslow, to offer something a little bit different to what can be found on other high streets and the out of town shopping centres."
The market has certainly succeeded in creating a buzz and drawing the crowds. Whilst the number of traders at the market has grown steadily from 54 at the initial market to 128 stalls at the most recent one in April.
A wide variety of community organisations and local entertainers have also been engaged with the market, making the third Saturday of the month a key date in the diary for many Wilmslow residents, as well as attracting visitors from out of town.
Denise Valente said "We entered the Action for Market Town's Awards as this industry renowned scheme recognizes and showcases initiatives that have helped small market towns to adapt to change and flourish – which is totally in line with the original objectives of starting the Artisan Market here in Wilmslow. We wanted to add vibrancy to our town and make it a destination once more.
"Vicky and I are absolutely thrilled having won the Business & Economy Category and completely exhilarated having also been selected as the joint Overall West Zone (West Midlands & North West England) winners from all 4 categories. We now go on to present at the forthcoming AMT Towns Alive Event for the possibility of being selected as National Awards Winner and most Highly Transferable Project Award later in the year."
Wilmslow Artisan Market will now go forward to be considered for Action for Market Towns' prestigious national award in October where the national winners will be announced by historian and television presenter David Starkey at a ceremony in Kendal.
Last year's winners received widespread press exposure and several were held up as exemplary projects in a Parliamentary reception, so these awards could be very beneficial in helping to put Wilmslow on the map as a top shopping and visitor destination.
Chris Wade, the chief executive of Action for Market Towns, said "The quality and quantity of our entries shows that innovation and creativity is at the heart of many towns across the West of England. This years' entries really raised the bar – giving judges a difficult task – and the regional winners should be congratulated for the positive effects their projects are having in their communities.
"The Action for Market Towns Awards celebrate these innovative projects and share good ideas allowing other towns across the UK to learn from our winners' experiences."
Action for Market Towns, which founded its awards scheme in 2004, is a national charity committed to the vitality and viability of small towns.
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May it continue and you both have made this Saturday a date for every one to visit Wilmslow.