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13
Aug
Knaresborough Town Council team shadows North Yorkshire colleagues ahead of market handover
A team from Knaresborough Town Council has been shadowing its counterparts from North Yorkshire Council ahead of the long-awaited handover of Knaresborough Market in September.
The four-week period of collaboration and learning has seen Knaresborough town councillor James Pickard, town development manager Mark Brayshaw, and town ranger Ollie Ward actively involved on site, gaining first-hand experience of market operations and supporting the smooth running of the weekly event.
Cllr Pickard and Mr Ward have been rising early to help traders set up their stalls from 5am on Wednesday, and Mr Brayshaw has been working alongside the current market manager to understand day-to-day processes and ensure continuity.
Knaresborough Market.
Double devolution
Knaresborough Town Council has been campaigning to take over the running of the market as part of North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les' “double devolution” policy, which gives town and parish councils the chance to bid to take control of local assets and institutions if they could make a successful business case.
Councillors and traders say that having the market run by and for local people will make it more responsive to local need and secure its future. North Yorkshire Council approved the move in October but progress since has been tortuous.
Knaresborough Market
In a social media post, Knaresborough Town Council thanked North Yorkshire officers for their collaboration, guidance, and openness during the transition period.
It added:
As the handover approaches, Knaresborough Town Council is looking ahead with optimism. Bringing the market back under local stewardship represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen its role at the heart of the community – supporting traders, attracting visitors, and celebrating Knaresborough's identity.
Knaresborough Town Council is committed to working with the local community, business community and traders to ensure the market continues to thrive for years to come.
Knaresborough Market traces its origins to a royal charter from King Edward II in 1310, although there had been a market in the town for more than a century before that.
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