Page 43 - Market Times October 2024

FEATURE • MORETON‐IN‐MARSH 43
Moreton-in-Marsh Market’s story is a tale of two seasons. Packed to the brim in summer, it is a much quieter affair in the winter months as the tourist season fades. Nicola Gould visits a buoyant Cotswolds market that is upholding a tradition that goes way back in the pages of history
Hailed as the premier market in the scenic Cotswolds, Moreton-in- Marsh Market boasts what some claim to be the most stunning location in England and has a reputation to match.
The town, which grew from the wool trade, was granted a market charter in 1629. But today’s market is a more modern event, established in 1976 by a market company that was taken over by the current operator Cotswold Markets more than a decade ago.
The company runs a string of events across the Cotswolds, including some cracking retail, farmers and craft markets, as well as stand-alone events including street fairs and festivals. But it is Moreton Market that has been the company’s stan- dard bearer over many years.
Held every Tuesday on the wide boule-
vard off the High Street, the market is a colourful affair of mainly green and white striped gazebos set against the backdrop of honey-coloured Cotswolds stone shops and eateries.
In the summer months it brings the popular tourist town to vibrant life, attracting coaches full of visitors to the town. In the winter it is a more muted event, but there is still a good mix of staple stalls like the anchor fruit and veg stall run by Neil Stodd which has been on the market for decades.
Kevin Walters, universally known as Jagger, has been managing Moreton market since Covid. “It has always been a busy market, especially in the summer,” he said. “It used to be traditional stalls but in Covid when I took over we invested in
Jagger, whose name is actually Kevin Walters, runs Moreton-in-Marsh market for private operator Cotswold Markets