Axminster Market to re-open in full next week

Axminster's weekly street market will be back in business on Thursday, June 4.

The market in Trinity Square was forced to close on March 19 due to coronavirus.

It re-opened on a limited basis with just take-away food outlets, but now Lord of The Manor Jim Rowe, who owns the market rights, has confirmed that other stalls will be returning on June 4 after the government announced easing of lockdown for outdoor markets.

Mr Rowe told Axminster Nub News: "A number of stallholders have indicated that would like to return. We will have to adhere to social distancing and that will be a bit of a challenge but we can use the Minster Green if necessary. We will find a way."

Axminster's market charter was granted by King John in 1214. A livestock market was held in Trinity Square in the 19th century, later moving to a site off Coombe Lane.

The Thursday cattle market thrived for many years, bringing farmers into the town from all over East Devon, and survived until it was closed down after the foot-and-mouth scare.

The weekly street market is one of the town's most colourful regular events and is viewed as being essential to the economy of the town.