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HATHERLEIGH MARKET JUNE 2024 UPDATE:

Deal to lease the new market and finance building enhancements has been AGREED, with trading at the new site set to start LATE SUMMER.

The Friends of Hatherleigh Market are delighted to announce that there has been significant progress with negotiating a long lease to secure the future of Hatherleigh Market for the town and surrounding areas, for years to come. 

Hatherleigh Community Market Ltd (the community benefit society) and Kingswood Homes have agreed terms and are close to finalising a 25 year renewable lease for the new market. In addition they have agreed a specification and costs for the enhancements necessary to make it suitable for all year-round trading, alongside competitive financing options to fund these enhancements.

The terms of the lease will include a substantial rent discount for the first 10 years, which will help support the market as it grows and develops in its new home. This approach will help deliver an affordable way forward, setting the market up for a sustainable future.

Statutory provisions mean that, at the end of the lease, we have the right to renew the lease on the same basis, meaning we can effectively continue to secure the use of the site for the market for as long as the community wants it.

Recognising the need to keep the borrowing costs for the building enhancements to a minimum, Hatherleigh Moor Management Committee, West Devon Borough Council and Hatherleigh Town Council have generously offered financial support for the scheme, in solidarity with the community. 

We will seek additional grants and donations from wherever possible and will continue with the proposed share issue in the Community Benefit Society – which is where you can help! 

We are working hard with Kingswood Homes to finalise arrangements and get the new site ready for the community market to start trading in its new home this summer.

Find out more and pledge your support:

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Who are Friends of Hatherleigh Market?

“Friends of Hatherleigh Market” are a group of volunteers from within the local community who care passionately about the future of Hatherleigh Market, and who are united behind a set of common aims:

OUR AIMS:

  • To take a longterm renewable lease to secure the future of the market
  • To equip the market to make it fit for purpose for year round use in a sustainable way
  • To safeguard the market for future generations

The Friends of Hatherleigh Market team includes and 18 strong team made up of:

  • Members of West Devon Borough Council
  • Members of Hatherleigh Town Council 
  • The Operators of Hatherleigh Market
  • Stallholder Representation
  • Legal & Commercial Advisors
  • Marketing Advisors
  • Project Management

The group includes, Mark Reddaway (chair of Hatherleigh town council), Deb Laing-Trengove (town councillor), Kay Walters (town councillor), Richard Burrow (town councillor), Patrick Kimber (West Devon Borough Councillor), Debbie & Mark Kimber (the market operators), Clare Tyson (former Chair of Hatherleigh town council). The group are also supported with other members who have legal, commercial and marketing experience. 

Friends of Hatherleigh Market are currently working on:

Our group is currently working on:

  • Negotiations with Kingswood Homes to take a 25 year renewable lease of the market
  • Negotiations with Kingswood Homes to upgrade the basic open-sided pavilion style market building outlined in the original section 106 planning agreement, so that the building has side enclosures, an office, toilet facilities, and power for the external paved market square
  • The issue of shares in the community benefit society to give shareholders a say in the management and running of the market for the benefit of the community
  • Grant applications to as many institutions as possible to minimise the amount of loan finance required to pay for the building enhancements
  • The business case and business plan for the market

Hatherleigh Town Council, West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council and the Plunkett Foundation are supporting our efforts to raise as much capital as possible to pay for the building enhancements. Capital will be raised through a mix of grants, sponsorship, commercial loans and the issue of shares in a community benefit society. For example £100,000 could be raised by 1000 people each buying a £100 share. 

When will the new market be ready?

Kingswood Homes plan to complete the new market site by the end of SEPTEMBER 2024, with trading set to start from the new site in late summer / early autumn. 

Find out more and pledge your support:

Pledge your support

Community Share Scheme

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Donate to the Crowd Fund

Help with our setup costs

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Some views from our community

This is one of the most important community initiatives Hatherleigh has seen since the building of the community centre. Great to see the community coming together to support this great project.

Survey Feedback ResponseNovember 2023

I support this initiative as a positive step towards reviving Hatherleigh's reputation as a market town and helping local food and other producers have a purpose-built space to sell products, for the health, sustainability and well-being of the whole community. Towns of a similar size across Europe nearly always have a local market that is very much part of that place's identity and builds a sense of community, often lacking in Britain.

Pledge ResponseDecember 2023

I think the Hatherleigh market is crucial for the identity of Hatherleigh

Survey Feedback ResponseNovember 2023

Your Pledge, Our Future

Your Pledge, Our Future

Your Pledge, Our Future

Your Pledge, Our Future

Your Pledge, Our Future

Support the Heart of Hatherleigh

Support the Heart of Hatherleigh

Support the Heart of Hatherleigh

Support the Heart of Hatherleigh

Support the Heart of Hatherleigh