Market clashes with worship (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Market clashes with worship

THE Rector of Stow has attacked plans to run a Sunday craft market in the town, saying that it could deter his parishioners from attending church.

The Rev David Francis wrote to Stow Town Council objecting to the proposal because a "substantial proportion" of the congregation at St Edward's Church were "very senior citizens indeed" and needed to be able to park near the church.

He feared that if the proposed market was taking up parking spaces in the Square, many might be so discouraged that they would turn round and go home, "thereby denying them an important spiritual element of their week".

Landmark Markets, a company which runs "top quality food, crafts and garden markets" in historic market towns, had hoped to run a weekly market in the town from the end of March.

Market operations manager Karl Waldron said in a letter to the council: "I would envisage it comprising 30 to 40 stalls under umbrella canopies in the Market Place area, possibly on a Sunday, although other days might be considered as alternatives."

However, Mr Waldron failed to attend a council meeting last week to elaborate on his plans, and town clerk Mike Corker said he had not turned up to two previous meetings to look at possible sites.

Coun Paul Gibson said he had spoken to quite a few people, including businesses, and there was strong feeling against the proposal.

He said there were plans for a massive petition against the market. "We should stamp on it now," he added.

The town council voted four to two against a market in the Square on a Saturday or Sunday in principle. It agreed to make its view known to Mr Waldron, the highways authority and the licensing authority.