Giant supermarket chains tend to grab the lion's share of headlines when general retailing hits the national agenda, but now old-fashioned market towns are determined that their traditional ways of selling and buying should have a place in the great pantheon consumerism.
The Mid Devon town of Tiverton is one such community – it loves its old pannier market so much it has signed up to be part of the Love Your Local Market campaign later this month.
The project to highlight the town's central pannier market will run for more than two weeks starting next Sunday, May 12, with a food festival.
Other highlights will include a Georgian-themed market and a local history trail that begins at the market and end at the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life.
Market manager Christopher Firth told the Western Morning News: "We are becoming well known for our award-winning produce, which is no more expensive than the multiples, with personal service from traders who really know what they are talking about.
"The traders know where everything is reared or grown and you do not have to worry where your food comes from. Supporting your market keeps the money you spend within the local economy."
He also talked about the history of his market: "The building has been here since 1830, but the site could date back from the Roman times. The earliest written record of a market in Tiverton dates to 70 AD – so it goes back a long time – a lot older than people consider.
"Our main building was refurbished in 2005 (opened in 2006) with money from Europe," he said of the old pannier building which now has glazed walls, but which still retains its original charm. "We are making more use of it and have a greater footfall than before."
The nationwide Love Your Local Market campaign was inaugurated last year to create more of a buzz in and around traditional market-places. Last year more than 400 markets around the UK joined the scheme and organisers hope many more will take part in 2013.
Tiverton pannier market normally takes place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9am to 2pm – while on Mondays it plays host to an antiques and flea market.
