At last night’s (Monday 22 April) Annual Town Meeting in the Town Hall, one question (suggestion) from a Marlborough resident present was that the Saturday (and Wednesday?) market should be taken back to be under control of the town. It was generally acknowledged (by all Councillors and residents at the meeting) that the market was ‘tired’, and in the opinion of one Town Councillor present – ‘dying’.
Councillor and former (twice) Mayor, Lisa Farrell commented: “I feel that with the right committee behind it, from stall holders to community, we as Marlborough need to work together to save it or yet again we lose something that we were so proud of, as it use to be one of the best when I was growing up and now, if we are lucky there are maybe five stalls present at the most each week. We need to support this all the way.”
Cllr Farrell wasn’t alone in this belief. Far from it and all (of the many) comments from those present echoed what she said.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Kymee Cleasby (who will be Mayor in less than a month) told Marlborough.news: Marlborough’s market established by charter in 1204—is our beating heart, pulsing with potential. The change in hands would matter, but let’s not stop there. It’s about breathing life into its veins through smart management and bold action. Whether it’s town council or county, there’s work to be done, we need to involve the current stallholders too. With vigilant oversight and strategic marketing, the revival of our market will be poised to reclaim its former glory.
Marlborough’s market has long been a prominent and much used / loved feature of the town’s life. Marlborough is described universally as a ‘market town’ even on Wikipedia so something would have to change in the way the town were seen and regarded across the country and the world if the market did die. It is synonymous with Marlborough. It is part of the fabric of the town.
Necessary safety improvements to A4 through Avebury World Heritage Site area – no progress, yet
