WORCESTER’S specialist high street markets could stop by the end of the year if the council doesn’t find a new operator.
Cotswold Markets has told Worcester City Council it will stop running the monthly fine food and arts and crafts markets held outside the Guildhall, citing concerns over “reduced commercial viability, profitability challenges and operational constraints”.
The council’s place and economic development committee agreed on Monday (November 2) to begin the search for a new operator.
Whoever takes on the markets could be given some flexibility in scheduling, although the council would like at least one Saturday market each month.
Council officers will be contacting market providers in the region to make them aware of the opportunity.
Experienced market operators are also being invited to email economy@worcester.gov.uk.
Committee chair Adrian Gregson said: “The monthly specialist markets bring variety and freshness to the city centre, and we are keen to see them continue.
“We want to see markets that will complement the shops and food outlets based in the city centre, boosting Worcester’s offer as a place to visit, relax and shop.
“The council is also open to new ideas, so if potential operators want to come forward with new themes for these markets, we’ll be very happy to listen.”
The current monthly markets are held on High Street, with stalls positioned close to the Guildhall.
The council receives £11 per stall from the current market operator.
This produced an income of £5,835 in the 2025-26 financial year.
Worcester’s separate weekly markets were also run by Cotswold Markets until September this year, when new operator Bluebell Events successfully relocated them from Angel Place to the Cornmarket.
Sian Stroud, corporate director for economic development, planning and governance, said: “We’ve had a successful high street market for a number of years [but] our operator intends to bring the operation to a close.
“We don’t have the resources in-house to run this ourselves,” she said.
“In the longer-term, running a market is something a future town council might want to do.”
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She said there had been interest from the Bransford Trust in running a farmer’s market around the old Porcelain works.
Councillor Adam Scott said: “I hope we get some good bidders on this.”
He said he would like to see a farmer’s market in the city centre, adding: “I don’t care where it is – we hold the whip hand on this.”
Cllr Scott said Cathedral Square could also be an attractive location for a market operator.
Currently, a fine food market is held in High Street on the first Saturday of each month, with an arts and craft market following on the second Saturday.
