“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. 

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. 

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.