Market Drayton Artisan Market set to expand
Market Drayton’s popular Artisan Market is set to expand this April, attracting up to 40 independent traders and bringing a “mini festival vibe” to the heart of the town each month.
The revamped market will launch on Saturday April 11 – boosted by the addition of new traders, live music, family fun activities and stands selling artisan hot food.
The market, held on the second Saturday of each month, brings in food and drink producers, artists and makers from across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
It has been popular since it launch in October 2024, attracting crowds of shoppers and an average of 25 traders each market. It centres in and around Market Drayton’s historic Buttercross building in Cheshire Street, and from April 11 will expand into a public space across the street, beside Market Drayton Library.
Jake Burgess, of market operator Castle Artisan, which operates specialist markets in seven locations across the region, said: “We’ve been so successful in Market Drayton that there is demand for the market to grow.
“The market is popular with a waiting list for traders to join, and we know we can make it a bigger and better attraction that is exciting for the town.
“We’re planning for up to 40 stalls and a rotating selection of businesses, so that no two markets will be the same.
“We want to introduce live music, free family activities and increase the number of hot food traders, bringing a mini festival vibe to Market Drayton every month.
“When we started, we took over the old Buttercross Artisan Market which had half a dozen regular traders. We’ve increased that to 20 and, 18 months later, we’re increasing that to 40.
“We have exciting new traders joining the market including a gingerbread bakery, a specialist vegan bakery, The Indie Pie Company and many more.”
Most traders come from Market Drayton or within a 45-minute radius. Market Drayton Indoor Market, which is home to 16 independent businesses, also opens on Saturdays, adding to the vibrant mix of stalls available to visitors.
A community event will run alongside the Artisan Market and Indoor Market on April 11, 9am – 3pm, offering a health and wellbeing hub and free family games and crafts.
