Plans to build a thriving Wednesday market in Knaresborough have been outlined following its move to town council control.
Knaresborough Town Council took over responsibility from North Yorkshire Council at the start of September, following more than two years of work towards the handover.
Newly formed Community Interest Company Visit Knaresborough has been appointed to run the market for an initial six months.
The organisations have now issued a joint update on their first month, highlighting new traders joining the market and familiar faces returning.
The directors of Visit Knaresborough said:
“The market is part of Knaresborough’s identity and has been for generations.
“These first few weeks have given us real encouragement, particularly seeing new traders joining us and familiar faces returning.
“There is a great deal of work still to do, but we have an opportunity over the coming months to listen, learn and build momentum.
“We want to create a thriving market that works for traders, complements our town-centre businesses and gives residents and visitors another reason to come into Knaresborough every Wednesday.”
The council is gathering detailed information about the market’s day-to-day operation to help establish what is needed to run it each week.
At the end of the initial six-month period, it will invite tenders for the market’s future operation. The council says the information gathered will help ensure a well-informed and transparent selection process.
Both organisations are also working closely with the council’s Town Ranger, Oliver, and his team.
They thanked council staff, councillors and members of the public whose time and support helped make the handover possible.
Visit Knaresborough’s directors also encouraged residents to support the market during the transition and expressed hopes of involving more local people in future projects.
They said:
“In time, Visit Knaresborough will be looking for more local people to get involved with several new and exciting projects. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out and let us know.
“In the meantime, it is our sincere hope that people will fully support the market through this period of transition.”
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