A NEW Year wake up call was this week issued by an Okehampton trader, anxious to keep the town?s market thriving.
Frances Powers said trade in the run up to Christmas had been good ? but with worries about increased rents in the New Year meant it was important to keep the profile of the market high.
Mrs Powers, who sells aromatharpy oils and related products in the market, said: ?It could be a very good little market, it?s a bit of character and it attracts tourists as well, but we really need to keep people coming in through the doors.
?Obviously if our costs are going to go up, we need to keep attracting customers to cover our costs.?
Mrs Powers said the market, in an absolutely ?prime? position in Okehampton, usually has around ten stallholders, selling a variety of goods, from clothes and bric-a-brac to vegetables and flowers.
There are also a range of crafts on offer too.
?It?s handy for the supermarkets and the other shops in Red Lion Yard ? we would really like to attract more stallholders and customers to boost it,? said Mrs Powers.
Okehampton Market is open at 8am and runs until 4pm ? stallholders vary from day to day.