Locals to have their say on 800-year-old market

The town's mayor Kym Marie Cleasby said the survey is "crucial" to the future of the market

Shoppers are being given the chance to help shape the future of a town's 800-year-old market.

King John granted Marlborough a market charter in 1204 and it is held in the town's High Street twice a week.

However, the town's Mayor, councillor Kym-Marie Cleasby, said they needed to look at it in a "new and fresh light" after a reduction in the number of stall holders following the pandemic.

Locals are being encouraged to share their thoughts on what type of additional stalls they would like to see through an online survey, which is open until 13 September and is being run by Marlborough Town Council.

Ms Cleasby said: "We all know our behaviour has changed since Covid and I think it's changed in lots of different ways and it's affected the market."

She said the market, which regularly features fresh food and take-away stalls, as well as local plants, flowers, household supplies and locally made artisan gifts, is also an opportunity to "celebrate what Marlborough's about".

It is popular with both local people and tourists and runs on Wednesday and Saturday.

Local cafe owner Bob Holman said the market is central to the attraction of the town as a shopping centre

Bob Holman runs a cafe in the town and said he is pleased to see the town council "taking the initiative".

"I can't tell you how important the market is," he said.

"It's really important to the town to have people coming into the town and buying fresh goods."

Wiltshire's markets are run by Wiltshire Council which is responsible for arranging new traders, ensuring that stall holders comply with all food and health and safety legislation and that the markets are safe for the public to visit.

Wiltshire Council said it will "work closely with Marlborough Town Council to ensure the market delivers on the public requirements".

But it added that "in order for the market to be sustainable it must be supported by the public".