MALVERN is to have a new weekly food market which could open to hundreds of people as early as the start of April.
The new indoor market, which will feature a variety of stalls selling local produce, will be held inside Malvern Cube’s Theatre Hall and will be held each Saturday between 9am and 2pm.
Responsible for running it will be the management staff at the Malvern Cube community centre on Albert Road North who have had a vision of bringing a new and vibrant market to the town for a number of months.
Initially, the market will predominantly sell food but organisers have told the Observer it will have the flexibility to expand once it becomes established following its launch – which is hoped for Saturday, April 2.
Organisers are now urging any interested stall holders who would like to be part of the project to get in touch so they can hit the ground running quickly.
Local resident Alison Chapman, whose parents ran a successful fruit growing business for many years, has been appointed to set up the market.
“I’m really excited to be part of this new project,” she said.
“A new weekly market will be a big bonus to the town as it will bring more people in especially those living in rural areas. We can’t wait to get it up and running.
“And with it being indoors there will be no concerns over the elements for visitors to worry about. It will also be great for people to have a market where they know they can come once a week for all of their fresh local produce.
“What we want now is for anyone interested in running a stall to get in touch with us so we can move things along ahead of the start date.”
The Observer understands the new weekly market will be the first of its kind in Malvern since more than a decade ago, possibly longer, when the town used to hold a Friday market near the site of the current Waitrose store on Edith Walk.
And Malvern Cube’s plans to bring a new market to the town have been supported by council chiefs at both Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Town Council.
Simon Smith, economic development manager at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Providing an opportunity for local producers to showcase and sell their goods is clearly something we are supportive of and we wish them well with the project.”
Eadwine Brown, Malvern Town Council’s events coordinator, added: “The new weekly market is a good initiative and the council is excited to see which food producers will come on board.”
Anyone wanting to get involved with the new market should contact Alison Chapman on 07969 393884 or call Malvern Cube on 01684 575363.
