HOLSWORTHY'S regular Wednesday market could be under threat after it was reported that there are feelings from people in the Holsworthy area that it is 'out-of-date' and a 'waste of space'.

The Holsworthy Market Charter dates back to the 12th century and 1,000 years ago was recognised as a Port Town — a secure place for trade.

At the Holsworthy Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 3, Cllr Pam Johns explained that she had recently had a conversation with some people about the town's market.

Cllr Johns said she was "shocked at their feelings towards the market."

The local people who own a business in the Holsworthy area said to Cllr Johns that they thought that the market had been there for years, was 'out of date' and was a 'waste of space'.

Cllr Johns expressed that there was a "different perception of the market amongst people" and a consultation event should be held to find out the feelings of the people in the area. She explained that the Chamber of Trade's Holscard scheme has a comprehensive database which would be useful to get feedback from people on the issue.

Cllr Johns said councillors have to think about this, it is a very serious issue and they were very negative in their comments.

Cllr Bruce Priddy said: "From talking to businesses in the area, some avoid the market on a Wednesday and businesses around the Square are in the opinion that if there wasn't a market, they would make more money weekly."

Cllr Richard Brown said: "The market has been there for a very long time, longer than before many owned businesses in the Square.

"After being on the town council for ten years, the council has had nothing but people complaining that the market isn't big enough. There is more people in the town on a Wednesday than usual and when tourists come to the town in the summer they are looking for the market."

Cllr Johns added: "We are aware of the feelings around the Square and I was surprised of the feelings they had, normally it is very positive."

Cllr Richard Kennedy said: "We have to be careful because the market is used from people of a very wide area, it would have to be a majority decision from all those in the area not just from the council and people in the town."