THE FUTURE of Evesham’s historic charter market is in doubt after operator Bluebell Events announced this week it was pulling out of the twice-weekly event.
The company, which took over the market lease four years ago, announced with a ‘very heavy heart’ on Tuesday it had taken the ‘incredibly difficult’ decision as it was no longer economically viable to run it.
A statement on the company’s Facebook page said: “Every single market we now run incurs significant fixed costs, and because the income hasn’t covered the overheads, we have been losing money week after week.
“It is simply no longer affordable or financially viable for us to continue subsidising the market out of pocket.”
The company issued a ‘massive, heartfelt thank you’ to the ‘wonderful traders’ who stuck with them and to the public who supported it.
One of the directors, Chloe Ford, confirmed to the Observer the market which ran every Tuesday and Saturday in High Street and sold a variety of fresh produce had ended with immediate effect.
The market lease is issued by Evesham Town Council and clerk Jo Adams, told the Observer it was very sorry to hear of Bluebell Events’ decision to step down from running the market after four years.
“They took on the market with genuine enthusiasm and worked hard to support traders, attract visitors and maintain this valued community asset during a challenging period for traditional markets across the country.”
She ‘sincerely thanked’ Bluebell Events for its work operating the market and wished it every success with the other events, adding the council remained committed to providing a weekly market in the town.
“We will now begin exploring options for finding a new operator to take the market forward and will provide updates as soon as we are able,” she added.
The news of the market’s closure has hit hard for one trader who credits the popularity of his fruit and veg stall for the reason he opened a shop in the town centre.
Macauley Totney, who opened Mac’s Finest Fruits last April with great success, said footfall had noticeably declined in the last 12 months.
The third-generation market trader who attends three outdoor markets in the region, said: “I am devastated to hear it is closing but I’d love to make it thrive again.”
He added he knew traders who would support him in Evesham.
Mr Totney, who is looking to move to Pershore, confirmed he had already been in contact with the council to enquire about the lease.
The existence of the current market in Evesham can be traced back to a 1605 charter granted by King James I.
Its origins, however, stretch back to the Middle Ages and Edward the Confessor who granted rights in 1055.
