The year’s first event of a new-look independent market has been hailed as ‘excellent’ after crowds packed out the town centre.
Trowbridge Weavers Market took place across Fore Street and the revamped Old Town Hall in the heart of Trowbridge on Saturday, May 16.
The event ran from 10am to 4pm, and saw stalls laid out across the two venues, as well as live music from both the stage of Fore Street as well as within the town hall.
That event was the first of four to take place across the year, which is the first time the town centre will host four rather than eight markets.
Chair of the organising committee Stewart Palmen said the change was made to allow the committee to focus their attention on times of the year when the market has been “most successful”.
The atmosphere at last weekend’s event was described as “excellent” by Cllr Palmen, Trowbridge’s new mayor, who added that the first market had been busier than last year’s first market, in an encouraging sign.
Reflecting on the day’s proceedings, Cllr Palmen said: “May’s Weavers market was a busier first market of the year than we had last year with more stores indoors and outdoors.
“It was so good to have The Old Town Hall for our indoor stalls as this directly connects the market with the outdoor stalls on Fore Street.
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“We had a great range of stalls representing various local businesses providing items from cakes through to custom lamps together with excellent hot food vendors.
“There was live music though out the day from the stage in Fore Street and also from within The Old Town Hall.
“The town was busy and the atmosphere was excellent. There was a little rain towards the end of the market but that did not dampen spirits.
“We look forward to the July Market on the 18 th of July.”
Speaking with this paper in November last year ahead of the penultimate market of 2025, Cllr Palmen praised the newly-opened Old Town Hall as venue for the market.
He said: “We’re really looking forward to once again using the town hall because it directly links to Fore Street and Market Street.”
Ahead of that month’s event, he said there would be 25 stalls on Fore Street in addition to the 23 indoor units. The market will also see live music performed on Fore Street.
“It enables the indoors to have products not suitable for selling outside to have access to the market. And it will help the Old Town hall become sustainable because they’re gaining most of the revenue from the stall holders.”
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