Traditional stalls a boost to towns

Atraditional British market is like nowhere else. The distinctive sight, smells and sounds are part of our nation’s history. And now it seems market traders could help rescue our high streets, too.

An exclusive poll found market days are the number one thing people say would encourage them to shop more in town centres.

The 39% who chose markets, beat the 24% who backed later opening hours and the 19% who opted for having discount days across different shops.

The survey was done by Visa, a partner in this year’s Great British High Street Awards, backed by the Mirror, which celebrates independent businesses or employees who run projects or go out of their way to improve their high street.

The deadline for nominations for this year’s awards is on Monday, with one winner per home nation awarded £2,500. Despite competition from store chains and online, markets are thriving. There are around 1,200 across the country, a number which has remained fairly stable over recent years, when shop closures have soared. Joe Harrison, chief executive of the National Market Traders’ Federation, said: “There is definitely a revival. Street food has become a lot more popular and that has given markets a shot in the arm.”

For stall holders, it is cheaper than having the overheads they would have with a shop.

And while many high street butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers have closed, there are still plenty of markets up and down the country.

The federation estimates there are 30,000 market traders.

More than one in eight markets are run by local authorities and the average occupancy rate – number of stalls filled – is 77%.

A big part of attracting people back to markets is making them pleasant and vibrant places to visit. One example is the £3million being spent transforming Crewe’s

Market Hall.

Building work to refurbish the Grade II listed building began at the start of June, part of a £50million programme of investment in the town centre.

The plan is for the market to have fresh food, independent eateries, plus pop-up stalls and plenty of events.

Visa’s Sundeep Kaur, who is chief judge of the Awards, said: “Not only do market days diversify and extend the range of goods available to consumers, they also help surrounding businesses by driving footfall and creating a sense of community.” of shoppers say markets would encourage them to shop in town centres The number of market traders currently operating in Britain

Tell us what you think: yourvoice@mirror.co.uk