'Markets are a way of traditional life'

Nick White has been selling cheese and meats on Frodsham Market for 40 years

On a sunny November morning, Main Street in Frodsham is full of traders and visitors. As it has been, for hundreds of years.

From beef to batteries, cheese to clothes, dog treats to door mats, stallholders sell a range of items against the backdrop of the town's traditional cottages and other historical buildings on Thursdays.

And now a new chapter awaits, with the historic charter which gives the holder the right to hold the weekly market set to be sold by auction.

It may not change anything for the market - but in an age of supermarkets, home deliveries and online shopping, is there still a place for the traditional weekly market?

Nick White has sold meats and cheese on the market for more than 40 years on his eponymous stall.

He described being on the markets as a "way of life".

"Being here for 40 years, you get to know the generations, generations and generations and it's just nice to be in the community because I think without markets, I think we've lost it," he said.

He believes markets bring people out into town centres and give them opportunities to meet up and people enjoy doing something "traditional".

Stalls fill Main Street in Frodsham on market day

Further down Main Street, Gill has been running a stall selling children's wear and nightwear for about 20 years.

She said she did feel trade had dwindled but there was still a place for traditional markets.

"It's a heritage market, it's been over a hundred years they can't take that away, there's always got to be a market in Frodsham," she said.

The shoppers think so too.

Shopper Jan Hardwood says there's "lots of bargains" to be had on the market

Jan Harwood and her friend Sue visit from Chester and Runcorn respectively.

"We do make a special trip because we love to come and there's plenty of places to have coffee and cake," she said.

She said she wished the market would be on twice a week.

"The market's been here for a million years, it's a fabulous place with lovely people and lots of bargains," she said.

The market takes place every Thursday

And now, who is responsible for a market - and receiving the income - is set to change.

The historic Royal Charter giving the holder the right to hold a weekly market in Frodsham - alongside two fair days throughout the year - is now up for auction.

The charter dates back to 1661 and it has been sold before - in 1975 it was sold by the Cholmondeley Estate to a private buyer for £10,000.

Graham Wilson, a legal consultant for markets' association NABMA, said it was "not particularly rare" to sell a market charter "but it doesn't happen that often".

"The fact that the majority are held by local authorities means they don't come up for sale that often," he added.

He said he believed about 75% of charters belonged to local authorities.

A variety of stall holders trade at the market

Frodsham Town Council recently discussed whether or not to put a bid in for the charter.

But, as it was held in a behind closed doors part of the meeting, it is not known if the council will aim to buy the charter.

But auction documents show that in recent years there has been a dispute between the charter holder and the town council over running markets in the town.

The council said it had no comment to make.

There is no indication anything would change about the market with the charter changing hands.

And with its long history, those here say it is a vital part of the town.

"It's a traditional thing that people do and I think markets have got a massive future," added Mr White said.