LOVERS of fresh food and handmade goods are encouraged to shop local at Bingley’s market on Saturday.

The market, the last in the series for 2018 run by Bingley Town Council, will include the town’s long-standing fish and cheese traders as well as stalls selling fresh, local produce and artisan crafts. Free musical entertainment will add to the fun and community atmosphere, along with low-key free activities for children.

Market goers will also be asked to complete a survey to help the Town Council decide on whether or not it runs further markets in 2019 and beyond.

Councillor Ros Dawson, chair of Bingley Town Council, said: “So far, the monthly markets have been a great success and we hope there’ll be continued support on Saturday. The feedback we receive will help us work out whether this pilot project is one the Town Council should try and continue next year.”

The monthly markets, which took place on the first Saturday of June, July and August, as well as this coming Saturday are a response to requests from residents to revive the town’s market, which dwindled to one or two stalls. To run the markets, the Town Council has enlisted the help of Yorkshire Farmers Markets, a not-for-profit enterprise which runs markets across the county.

Bingley’s market dates back to mediaeval times and the Town Council has aimed to keep that heritage alive by offering a relaxed 21st century family retail experience.

The summer markets concept is based on feedback from a survey carried out by Bingley Town Council last year, in which over 600 people took part, as well as research and guidance from NABMA, the National Association of British Market Authorities of which the Town Council is a member.

This year’s markets are a pilot and will be evaluated in the autumn.