Helston market starts trade at Central Methodist Church

At 9am, the stall holders welcomed customers new and old and supporters of the market at their new trading base, which is now at Central Methodist Church, Helston.  

As previously reported in the Packet, the market - which has run for generations in Helston Guildhall - faced permanent closure after the town council increased its rent by over 140% without consultation.

Debbie Houghton and her handmade bags and purses (Image: Kate Lockett)

A spokesperson for the market announcing its closure to its supporters said: “It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that after 65 years, the Helston Country Market will have to close at the end of May. A decision was made by the council to increase our rent by over 140% without consultation or negotiation making it impossible for us to carry on.

“Believe me when I say we’ve tried everything, but clearly after 65 years, we count for nothing. We wantPat Allison with her free-range produce (Image: Kate Lockett) to thank all of our customers, past and present, for their support over the years, we shall miss you all.”

However, just a few weeks later Helston’s Country Market’s future was saved, all thanks to the ‘beautiful human’ Rev. Danny Reed who offered organisers a second chance – to trade from the Central Methodist Church, Helston.

Packet reporter Kate Lockett popped down to the market to have a look at some of the items available to buy and to have a chat with traders and of course Rev. Danny.

Jill Blunn said she was 'so grateful' that the market will continue to trade (Image: Kate Lockett)

It was lovely to see so many happy faces in the country market this morning. Stallholders were busy preparing their stalls in the hall, and there was an excited buzz around the room.

There was a wide selection of products available to buy, including fresh free-range eggs, flowers and herbs and hand-made purses, bags and clothes – including some beautiful handmade dresses for little girls (including one I bought for my one-year-old niece Florence.)

READ NEXT: 

• Market running for 65 years to close after 140 per cent rent increase
• Helston market on the move to continue trading thanks to a 'beautiful human'

I spoke with one of the organisers Debbie Houghton about how she was feeling about today’s launch in the church. She said: “I am slightly apprehensive, but everyone seems really excited.”

I then spoke with Tim Robinson who was trading for the first time at the market with his paracord bracelets and dog leads. Tim said: This is my first time here, and it’s pretty good so far.  

Rev. Danny was also looking around the stalls and focused on some fresh free-range eggs for sale.

Of course, the continuation of the market was all down to Danny’s kind gesture of offering the church as a new trading base. He said: “I am so pleased I was able to help them out, and it’s good we have the space for the community to come together for these kinds of events.

“It also brings a lot more down to this side of the town; we have the bus stop just outside for people to commute to and from.”

The Country Market starts every Friday between 9am and 12pm at Central Methodist Church, Helston.

For more information, visit the Helston Country Market Facebook page.