Clitheroe Market traders welcome discounted rent offer to fill empty stalls

Ribble Valley Council plans to offer discounted rents on new stalls in the market’s bull ring area, with the aim of attracting new businesses for the long-term.

Alex Taylor has run the Horsebox Cafe with Hayley Wood in a stall next to the bull ring since September.

He said: “I think discounted rents for casual stalls is a good idea, to bring in new businesses. Hopefully, it will increase visitors too, which will be good for all businesses. I’m looking to build my own stall here, so the more visitors, the better.

“I think the market could do with more shelter for customers. We get a lot of rainy days. So maybe a few awnings or similar? That’s my only criticism of the market, really. I think the rent I’m charged for my stall is OK, to be fair.

Alex who previously worked in the construction sector and at the Edisford Bridge pub near Clitheroe, said: “When they have live music and buskers here, it’s really good and adds to the atmosphere. I’ve give the musicians cheap coffee and food, because they bring so much to the place. More music would be good.”

Hayley said: “I think there are opportunities for arts and craft stalls here. For things like melted candles and bath bombs. There used to be a lady here selling crystals, which were nice.”

She added: “A few new stalls have arrived here recently. There’s a Caribbean food stall and a baker. New food stalls attract young people. Quite a few high school kids come for food and it’d be nice to keep a bit longer with other stalls, not just food. I also think there’s interest in health and herbal remedies.

“There’s maybe potential here for a children’s toy stall. For second hand things? I love going to the YMCA shop in Clitheroe, which has interesting things. My dad, Leeroy Porter, has an antiques business in Great Harwood and I think the bull ring area here at Clitheroe could be developed for antiques, arts and crafts? There’s space behind stalls to display things and hang fairy lights, which would make it a bit prettier.”

CARIBBEAN FOOD

Sisters Erphelia Chambers and Deana Carruthers, from Preston and Longridge, are behind the new Rum & Roti stall, recently opened in December.

Erphelia said: “Opening here has been good. We’ve built-up some regular customers and people are interested in trying things. People often have to travel to Manchester for Caribbean food so we are quite excited about this.”

Deana said: “I think other stall holders here are happy to have new businesses arriving. It’s good for the whole market. Running costs are obviously important for all businesses, especially new ones, so if the casual stall rents are cheaper, we might see a few more businesses trying things? You never know for sure if a new stall will be successful, so the discount should help”.

The sisters have links to Montserrat in the Caribbean. One later studied at a cookery school in Rhode Island, United States, and the other at Preston College and Salford University, studying interior design.

Erphelia added: “We had a look at markets in Preston but we didn’t feel the stall space was right for us. Here in Clitheroe, the spaces seem better-suited. We can have a kitchen, there’s parking space nearby and the rent seems good.”

Deana said: “There’s a good range of customers here through the day. Older people come earlier, workers at lunchtime and high school kids in the afternoon. And there are visitors and tourists too. We’re hopeful for the future.”

FISHMONGER

Oliver Miller runs Oliver’s Fishmongers stall with Joanna Wood, both from Clitheroe, and former Ribblesdale High School pupils said: “I think Clitheroe Market is fantastic. I’ve been here for 25 years and started as a Saturday boy. We have a very good reputation. We open the stall three days a week but are busy on other days too. We make our own pate, smoke salmon and offer home deliveries. So the storage space and other facilities here at the stall are good.

“It’s unfortunate they can’t fill the new bull ring stalls but I think the discounted rent is a good idea. A bit more variation with stalls might be good for the future. Some are a bit similar.”

Joanna added: “Some bull ring stalls are taken-up on some days, such as Tuesdays and Saturdays. But Thursdays can be quiet. Saturdays are always the fullest.

“We’ve seen a few younger faces shopping at the market, which is good. People are getting wise about the good quality and prices. During the pandemic, people shopped outside more and rediscovered markets. I don’t think weather makes a huge difference to customers. People still want good fish, whatever the weather, and customers visit us from all over the place. Stall-holders can put up awnings and gazebos, if they want.”