THE organisers of Malmesbury Farmer’s Market say they have been forced to close it down after 12 years because it had become “a victim of its own success” after other shops in town began stocking local produce.

In recent years the number of traders at the twice monthly market had slumped from a height of around 15 to just two or three after selling locally produced fruit, meat and vegetables in the town became increasingly unviable.

Now moves are underway to create another market in Malmesbury, which is almost certain to incorporate local producers, as part of a comprehensive action plan to maintain and improve the town as a retail destination.

The Wiltshire Farmer’s Market Association, which ran the Malmesbury markets on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, said it had little alternative but to bring down the shutters as the number of traders had slowly shrunk.

The association’s administrator, Sue Thomson, said that when farmer’s markets in Wiltshire began 18 years ago people were making a bee-line to buy locally produced and traceable food.

She went on: “You could say that Malmesbury has been a victim of its own success because a number of other shops and supermarkets there also now sell local produce, because that’s what people want.

“The availability has increased.”

She said that over the years the number of stallholders at Malmesbury had fluctuated but it had got to the stage where less than a handful were turning up and some producers had re-located to other markets.

Ms Thomson, whose association runs regular farmer’s markets across Wiltshire including Calne, Chippenham, Devizes and Royal Wootton Bassett, added: “It wasn’t becoming viable for producers in Malmesbury.

“On the other hand, some of our markets are going from strength to strength.”

Monthly markets involving crafts and charity stalls continue to take place at the Hub at Malmesbury Town Hall.

However, talks are now ongoing involving Malmesbury Town Council and Malmesbury Town Team to bring a major, regular market to the town centre.

Town team spokesman Gordon MacPherson said they were preparing an application to Wiltshire Council for a license to hold a market in Malmesbury.

He said: “In the feedback that we received there was a very strong feeling that people in Malmesbury want their own market.”

He added that such a venture also had the backing of retailers, as well as local people.

Several people have commented on the Make Malmesbury Better Facebook site over the closure of the farmer’s market.

Martin Rea, who organises a monthly market in nearby Sherston, said: “Sad to see Malmesbury Farmers Market closing.

“A more general market may work. They are certainly successful in Devizes and Marlborough.

“Good markets can bring in a lot of extra trade to a town to the benefit of not only the stall holders but also shopkeepers, pubs, cafes etc.”