Artisan market organisers are asking shoppers to get behind the event after more than half of stallholders reported a drop in sales.
The monthly market has moved to Sunday after complaints from some of the town’s shops and businesses that the event was damaging trade on Saturdays.
A survey paid for by Wilmslow Town Council targeted more than 200 businesses and recommended the event be moved permanently to Sundays.
But organisers say footfall is around 40 per cent down on the 10,000 visitors estimated to have attended previous markets.
More than half of stallholders are reporting reduced sales of between 20 and 40 per cent down.
Some Wilmslow-based businesses have dropped out of the event.
Denise Valente, who runs the market with Vicky Jackson, said: “People are coming out later, it’s a much shorter trading day, and we’re not seeing a lot of our regular Saturday shoppers.
“All three Sundays so far have seen much reduced footfall. We’re upset to see traders suffering. They are asking us to reduce rents because they are not seeing the same footfall.
“It’s interesting the retailers who asked for the market to be moved are benefitting by opening on a Sunday. We’ve created an extra trading day. We have to make the best of it.
“We hope people change their habits and get behind the market and it can establish itself on a Sunday.”
Stallholder Heddy Ghazizadeh has ceased trading at the market.
He said:?“I think it was the wrong move to have it on a Sunday. Wilmslow is not a Sunday trading town.”
The next Artisan Market will be held on Sunday, February 16, from 10am to 4pm.
What do you think should happen to the artisan market? Email karen.britton@menmedia.co.uk or log on to facebook.com/WilmslowExpress
