Bumper crowds at farmers’ market

STUART PIKE

RAWT E N S TA L L Farmers’ Market was knocked for six by the response to its return at a new venue.

The popular monthly artisan market was held on Sunday after Rawtenstall Cricket Club bosses offered them a temporary new home, as we reported last week.

It will also be hosted by the Bacup Road club on March 22, after which a new site will need to be found due to the start of the cricket season.

In January we reported that the popular monthly events, held on the town square on the fourth Sunday of the month for four years, had come to an end after Rossendale council said the site was no longer available and discussions broke down over an alternative venue.

The Free Press has asked the council if this situation has changed with the second phase of the town’s Spinning Point regeneration set to be scrapped, but the latter was only set to be officially rubber stamped at Wednesday evening’s full council meeting - after we went to print.

Market co-organiser Lisa Reedy said it was “a hugely successful Sunday” despite morning wind and rain.

She added: “Traders chatted to customers old and new and the sun made a welcome appearance in the afternoon.

“A huge thank you from the organisers and their great team of traders for making Sunday such a successful and enjoyable event for everyone.

“Our existing and new customers were so glad to visit us at our new venue and see our market still running, despite continued issues over finding a suitable location.

“Now the square is not developed maybe, just maybe, we could go back to holding our monthly Sunday market there?

“Absolutely perfect for space, the people of Rossendale love and want it there and it creates a lovely flow from the station, through the square, up Bank Street and to the market at the top. A win win for the town and its businesses.”

See Scribbler on p8.

●● Rawtenstall farmers’ market at Rawtenstall Cricket Club on February 23