Indoor market hails big success

While the shops around it may be suffering from the effects credit crunch, a weekly indoor market in Swaffham is going from strength to strength and bringing added benefits to the community too.

While the shops around it may be suffering from the effects credit crunch, a weekly indoor market in Swaffham is going from strength to strength and bringing added benefits to the community too.

Since starting last April with just eight stalls, the town's Friday indoor market, which is held in the Assembly Rooms in Market Place, now regularly boasts more than 30 traders under one roof.

Offering everything from second hand books and bric-a-brac to paintings and jewellery and a chance for shoppers to take the weight off their feet and have a cup of tea, even in difficult financial times more people are coming through the door almost every week.

Market organiser Maureen Rutland, who also runs a knitwear stall at the market, said: 'We started small and it has just flourished.

'The market offers something for everyone and normally it is very busy.

'We do not charge people to come in and that means that we get regulars every week.

'We are beating the credit crunch because some of the things are second hand and you can also pick up bargains so people are getting things cheaper than in the shops.'

At Christmas the money raised from the rental of stalls went to pay for the three day indoor ice rink which proved a big hit with Swaffham's young people.

Mrs Rutland said she was hoping that this year, with the market running for a full 12 months and more interest than ever, the amount raised would be considerably higher meaning more could be done.

The market is open between 9am and 1pm on Fridays. For more information or to rent a stall call 01760 725499.