Historic market in neighbouring town changes day to try to revive trade
Kirkby Stephen will shift its long‑established market from Monday to Thursday from 6 August, town councillors have announced, in a bid to attract more traders and increase footfall. The move to a weekday later in the week reflects broader concerns about the survival of traditional markets across the region and may offer lessons for neighbouring towns, including Kirkby.
The market, which traces its origins back more than 670 years, was first established after a Royal Charter granted on 16 October 1353. A subsequent charter in 1605 moved the market to Monday and it has continued in various forms since. Management of the market now rests with Kirkby Stephen Town Council rather than the historic holder of the lordship of the manor.
Councillors say the change follows research and conversations with traders, which found a number prefer a Thursday because many work at weekends and use Mondays for administration or rest. They also concluded that many local customers have completed their main weekly shopping by Monday, limiting demand for a market at the start of the week.
- New market day: Thursday, from 6 August
- Historical roots: Royal Charter 1353, market day moved 1605
- Current situation: only a small number of regular anchor traders remain
The council says the town’s market emerged from resilience through war and industrial change but has struggled more recently as shopping habits and technology have evolved. The Covid pandemic, in particular, disrupted trading patterns — the council asked traders not to attend markets at the height of the pandemic and trading has not returned to pre‑pandemic levels.
"My customers have told me that they welcome the change and moving to a Thursday will mean a better stocked, fuller stall with more produce,"
The comment comes from regular market trader Tracey Dinsdale of Tracey's Fruit & Veg, who expressed optimism that a later weekday would allow her and other traders to offer a fuller range to customers.
Kirkby Stephen Town Councillor Sandy Lancaster said the council is acting in its role as Market Authority to try to reverse decline by making the market more attractive to both traders and shoppers. The expectation is that a Thursday will bring anchor traders together with additional stalls, increasing variety and encouraging more people into the town centre.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1353 | First Royal Charter establishing a market (16 October) |
| 1605 | Market day changed to Monday by a Royal Charter |
| 2026 | Market day changed to Thursday from 6 August |
The move mirrors concerns seen in other local markets, including in Penrith, where declines in trader numbers and customer footfall have left some market days thinly staffed or at risk of disappearing. Councils across the region are weighing how best to support market economies as retail patterns shift, balancing heritage with the practical needs of modern traders.
For Kirkby residents and civic leaders, the decision by Kirkby Stephen councillors underscores a key question: how should market towns adapt to contemporary working patterns and consumer behaviour? The actions taken there — informed by trader feedback and an aim to boost vitality — provide an example of a local authority using its market powers to try to rejuvenate a long‑running civic institution.
While the impact of the change will only be measured over time, traders like Ms Dinsdale are hopeful a later weekday will revitalise stalls and provide shoppers with more choice. The council believes the switch can strengthen the town centre by attracting additional traders and customers who might otherwise not attend a Monday market.
As many North West towns examine their own approaches to markets, lessons from Kirkby Stephen’s decision will be watched closely by traders, councils and shoppers in neighbouring towns such as Kirkby.
