A COUNCILLOR has said that some town centre traders would still moan even if money fell down on them from the sky.

The organisation of a town centre street market has been taken over by Charlotte Beatty and her mum, Maxine Price, of The Nook & Cranny shop, and the first event under their management was on September 21.

The monthly Wellington Produce Market ran in South Street from February 2022, before moving to High Street at the start of this year with the word “product” dropped from its name.

Previous principal organiser Vic Sawdye called it a day earlier this year with plans to move to Australia with his family for personal reasons and Charlotte and Maxine came forward to take over the market’s management.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s economic development committee met on November 13 where they discussed the re-launch of the new-look Wellington Independent Market.

A report, prepared by Charlotte and Maxine, which went before the committee, said: “We had a fantastic turnout of both traders and visitors to the market. Despite a few last minute cancellations, we had 38 traders as well as entertainment from the arts centre and Skintight Samba.

“We had a good selection of different traders to cater for a variety of shoppers and the food on offer was well-received.

“We spoke with most of the High Street shops to make sure that their day of trading had been a successful one.

“All were pleased with how the day had gone and that they had all had a busy day, despite previous discussions around the road closures impacting trade.

“The entertainment was well received by all and certainly gave a lovely atmosphere to the High Street. We have considered some buskers for next year too.”

They said that the setting up was “rather stressful,” but once it was all opened the “town came alive!”

Cllr John Thorne said: “It’s a great improvement – far better than what it was.”

There was discussion about the fact that even though most traders seemed to support the market, there were probably some unhappy ones – as previous discussions had heard that some had seen a big downturn in trade when the market was on.

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “The majority of traders were happy about it. But you will always get some traders moaning – they’d still moan even if money dropped down on them from the Gods.”

Cllr Keith Wheatley said there were a lot of positives to be taken from the market.

“The move from South Street to High Street has been enormously beneficial,” he said. “The entertainment worked well and I’m sure it will get even better.”

Cllr Wheately congratulated Cllr Lithgow and the council’s facilities manager Annette Kirk for working on the market plans and “driving through a difficult process.”

Charlotte and Maxine have already got dates for next year’s Wellington Independent Market – Saturday, April 19, between 10am and 3pm; Saturday, June 7, between 10am and 3pm; Saturday, September 30, between 10am and 3pm; and Saturday, November 29, between 10am and 6pm.