‘We’ll get Thursday market trade back to strength by spring 2021’
THE organisers of Ashbourne’s Thursday market say they are intent on rebuilding the momentum they had acheived before the lockdown, and they hope to have it back to full strength by the spring.
Ashbourne Communities CIC, Ashcom, which is run by local volunteers, is already seeing traders return to Shrovetide Walk after the coronavirus lockdown and shoppers are starting to reap the benefits of open-air trading.
Regular stalls that have come back to the market since the restrictions were eased include seafood, bakery, plants, fruit and vegetables, coffee products and wicker baskets.
Ashcom’s chairman Jeffrey Phillips explained: “The market is still small but Ashcom is intent on rebuilding the momentum we had achieved prior to the lockdown.
“A significant benefit the market provides in the postCovid world is open air shopping in a socially-distanced, managed environment, providing disciplined and regular social interaction.
“In a world where isolation has been too prevalent this has even greater significance that usual.”
In autumn 2019, AshCom took over the weekly markets from Derbyshire Dales District Council, which had been n running them at a loss and the authoruthority welcomed the opportunity for a Community Interest Company to breathe new
A significant benefit the market provides in the post-covid world is open air shopping...
l t
ta m en fi of the revival of a key local asset which would help stimulate footfall.
The expectation was that the project would remain an important focus for Ashcom for the following two years. Mr Phillips said: “The market was achieving against our expectations until the lockdown in March 2020. We were creating a steadily-growing trader list for 2020-2021 and were on track to be paying our way by this autumn.
“The plan was then to expand the market’s footprint through the town’s streets, while establishing themed monthly Saturday markets.
“However the Covid-19 closure has disrupted this progress and now with the support of our volunteers and the core of market traders we are optimistic we will be back on track by the spring.
“Ashcom is continuing to position itself to be closely involved in and focused on the Green Revolution which we believe will be one of the positive outcomes from the lockdowns and life changes. We see the market as one such project.
“Ashcom’s objective remains in helping to secure a vibrant Ashbourne and surrounding area in which economic recovery works hand in hand with the environmental and social wellbeing of the communities.”
life into them. The establishment of the Thursday market was envisaged as only the first step in the revival of market trading in Ashbourne, as an example
Jeffrey Phillips