Whitchurch’s much-loved Saturday market could be set to return after a private operator pulled out of the town.

The Makers Market operated on the first Saturday of every month in the Bullring and High Street, before Whitchurch was cut from the operators’ list of locations earlier this year.

While Whitchurch still has its traditional Friday market, groups including the Whitchurch Business Group and the organisers of the Blackberry Fair have been pushing for a more food and crafts-oriented market as well.

At Whitchurch Town Council's full council meeting, held on Thursday, September 16, Clare Bellingham of Blackberry Fair spoke to councillors of her group's plans to re-establish the market.

She told councillors: "A group has been formed to work on getting a market to replace the Makers Market.

"We've got the Marches Academy on board, the business group and the Blackberry Fair, but what we're trying to establish is, are the council willing to get involved? We can’t really run it without the council."

Ms Bellingham said the market would likely need some financial support from the town council, to buy stalls.

"We became aware of a market fund and were wondering if that is something we can access.

"Going into the future we see it potentially self-funding but to get it off the ground we need some financial help."

She added that a new market would entice shoppers into other town businesses.

"As we have 11 years of experience, we were hoping to bring something with a bit of Blackberry Fair to it,” Ms Bellingham added.

"We've got a lot of contacts, a lot of people interested.

"We want something more than just a market, something that people can come into town and see anyway, regardless of whether they buy anything."

Deputy mayor, Councillor Andy Hall said the council would be willing to support a new market – but queried the costs involved.

"We spoke about this at the business group and we're all in support of getting that market back," he said.

"It's great for the town, brings a lot of business in and there is a lot to build on.

"Steve Chapman sent me the costs of the stalls and they are very expensive, something like £1,200 to set up a stall for a day.

"My question is who pays for that, and what are the plans if we were to buy stalls?

"Have we got a business plan for who is going to bankroll it."

Cllr Pete Lea suggested that as the council owns its own stalls, they could be used for a new market.

He said: "Did we not speak about trying to kickstart this town after Covid to help in every way we can.

"We've got a market hall full of stalls, what is stopping us from getting volunteers to set them up?"

This idea was supported by Cllr Gregory Ebbs, who added: "This would be of great benefit for the town.

"I would support the idea of lending a few of these stalls and gazebos in the market hall."

Councillors agreed that they would review the idea at a later date.