New community-run company to run Ellesmere Market Hall
A new company run by the local community is to take on the running of Ellesmere Market Hall from Monday 25 March 2013.
All Together Ellesmere is a new ‘community interest company’ that has been formed to run the weekly market and other activities in Ellesmere Market Hall.
From 25 March, the rights to hold markets in Ellesmere will be transferred from Shropshire Council to Ellesmere Town Council. On that day, All Together Ellesmere will take on a lease with Shropshire Council for the Market Hall, allowing them to run the markets on behalf of the town council.
All Together Ellesmere has received a grant of £11,620 from Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme to create a new much-needed kitchen and storeroom in the Market Hall and to provide new promotional material.
This work will be carried out between now and the end of May, and the market will also be decorated inside and out – and work to paint the outside of the building has already started.
Once this work is complete, people will be able to hire the building for parties and private functions.
The Tuesday market will continue to be held while the redecoration takes place.
In the future the company also hopes to apply for additional funding to support ongoing improvements to the hall.
Lincoln McMullan, Chairman of All Together Ellesmere, said:
“We’re really looking forward to taking on the Market Hall and to welcoming people to the building. Many local people and organisations have been working together to make this possible and I’d like to thank them for their hard work, particularly Richard Taylor from the Boathouse; Wendy Pugh from the information centre on Wharf Road; Alyson Davenport; Roy Marsh from the Round Table; Azeez Hakeem representing the market stallholders; and Neil Willcox and Marian Giles from Shropshire Council.
“All Together Ellesmere will ensure that the Market Hall continues to be a key community building that supports a range of activities, and we hope local people will continue to support the market.”
Neil Willcox, Shropshire Council’s commissioning manager, said:
“I wish All Together Ellesmere every success as they take on the running of the market hall. I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to work with them to help them take on the lease, and have been able to support their plans with a grant from the market towns programme.”
Markets have been held in Ellesmere since 1221, when the first market charter was granted by Henry III.
Under the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, Shropshire’s 11 smallest market towns – including Ellesmere – were able to bid for a share of £500,000 to spend on projects that would enhance and boost their town.
