Images and text copyright COGNEWS 2024 Updated 09 Sep 2024
Image and text copyright COGNEWS Market - 18/8/24
There has been a market in Cheadle since 1250, next year we celebrate 775 years of market trading in our historic town. Cheadle has one of the strongest possible claims to the title of "A Traditional Market Town" in the country. It boasts a beautiful market cross, visitor information boards about the market, and a great range of old photos displayed in the market cafe. The Indoor and Outdoor Markets have been on the current site since 1899, and has additional trading spaces on Greyhound Walk each Friday. There is a Mini Car Boot Sale on the lower part of Tape Street Car Park every Sunday, helping residents recycle their unwanted into extra cash.
Markets across the country have suffered in recent years, as many of us turned to online trading, but they should not be overlooked. They can be vibrant spaces to meet friends, see new things, and be part of your local community. Cheadle has many trader success stories with locals trying out a little stall and growing a small business. Some move into the indoor market space, others have taken a town centre shop. A successful market space is good for the visitor economy too, giving extra reasons to stop in Cheadle on the way to the Churnet Valley, Alton Towers etc. and making Cheadle a destination town.Â
Sadly Cheadle's market has been allowed to run down by those who should have ensured its success. The refurbishments made by the District Council in 2005 didn't really add to the aesthetics or usability of the space. Outdoors, adding a tarmacked space covered the old cobbles and made people think carpark not market space. It's a tricky one because the building was not owned by the District, only leased from the Don Family, and that lease has long ended. It is by the efforts of a few hard working community minded volunteers that Cheadle's Market trades 4 days each week indoors and out, with specialist themed markets and artisan traders. It's a great place to try a business idea and a few traders now travel in.
What is Next for Cheadle's Market Square?
It is a cruel irony that Cheadle's Market faces an uncertain future whilst our District Council will soon be celebrating with Leek residents a 3.7 million pound refurbishment of their market space. It is our view that our indoor and outdoor market must be purchased for the town, enabling the people of Cheadle, her businesses and visitors to enjoy trading here for another 750 years, or it could well go the way of other fine Cheadle's assets.
Cheadle COG are keen to work with all interested parties in preserving our Market's Heritage, whilst securing our vital trading platforms, please contact us with the utmost urgency as we support the connection of Cheadle's COGS to bring our community together in a common purpose - SAVE OUR MARKET!
What's Next for Cheadle's Market Square?
What would you like to see in our town's market space?
Write an answer
Update 22.8.24
For Sale Cheadle Market:
What's happening with Leek's Market
Leek's rejuvenated indoor markets are set to re-open this October with work on the £3.7m refurbishment now well underway.
Update 09th September 2024
We spoke with SDL today, who told us there has been quite a bit of interest in the Market Sale with a few people downloading the legal pack. What the future holds for out market we'll wait and see, in the sincere hope that SMDC or another investor will purchase this for future use on be half of our historic market town.
Update 13th September
We are pleased to report that bidder number four was Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Several members of the team contacted COGNews to share their delight this great result for our town.
"The purchase of the market has been a core ambition of the Council's and so it is delighted to have been successful in the auction. It is central to plans to raise the profile of Cheadle and grow the local economy in partnership with stakeholders, businesses, traders and residents. A thriving market at the heart of the town will be a great asset and a key contribution to a vibrant future for Cheadle."
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst told COGNEWS
"The main thing always say is that the only thing that really, really matters is that we fully support the traders with our custom. Markets are not museum pieces or tourist attractions. They are businesses first and last."
You can read the full press release at
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