New stalls at market after fees cut

Six new stalls opened at Kenilworth Market after a push to make it more appealing to shoppers, organisers said

Six new stalls have opened at a market after fees for new traders were cut in a scheme to increase the range of goods on offer and boost its appeal.

John Walker, who manages several markets in Warwickshire, said the Kenilworth site had previously been the worst for footfall of the ones he managed in the county.

"We find that the midweek markets do struggle a little bit, as people are working, but the weekend markets are booming," he said.

Kenilworth Market, held on Thursdays, is run as a partnership by CJ's Events Warwickshire with Warwick District Council.

Fees for new traders were reduced over the summer and the offer was extended to Christmas.

The promotion had gone well, increased footfall and the new traders were sticking with the market, which currently had nearly 20 stalls, Mr Walker, from the events group, said.

John Walker said they wanted more market stalls in Kenilworth to get people coming to the site

People now wanted unusual gifts and unusual food when they went to a market, he said and added that the Warwick site was their most successful locally, attracting a younger customer base.

"There's a lot of building going on in the area, the market has a good name and good quality stuff, so people are spending locally," he said.

At Kenilworth, established traders Nicky Richards and Sue Marsh, of Peppercorn Wholefoods, said new stalls in the town benefited everybody's business.

"Any new trader that starts is really good for the market, it adds variety, choice...the market is looking a lot better, we're really pleased," they said.

Nicky Richard and Sue Marsh have had a stall on Kenilworth Market for about 25 years