Woodbridge Country Market has faced a recent downturn in trade as many people do not realise it is still open due to the extensive building work at Deben Swimming Pool.
The market, which has been trading from the town’s community hall behind the leisure centre since 1981, sells all manner of delicious cakes, scones, jams, chutneys as well as a host of homemade craft items every Thursday from 10am to 11.15am.
However, it has seen a drop in custom recently as work takes place to transform the nearby swimming pool.
Brenda Harvey, who organises the market, said although she sees the development as a welcome boost for the town, it has had a detrimental affect on the market.
“I think it is the fact that the car park has been closed,” she said.
“There are 34 parking spaces next to us but cars can’t get there because it is now part of that compound. “People may only come once to see the market and if they get here and can’t park it may be the only time they visit.”
Mrs Harvey said although Suffolk Coastal District Council had placed signs at the site to let people know the market was still on, it was swamped by the mass of signage from the construction site.
“People have only got a few seconds as they drive past to see the sign,” she said.
“The council are doing their best but it is affecting our custom.”
She urged the public to come and see what the market has to offer.
A Suffolk Coastal spokesperson said:”Suffolk Coastal has been working closely with the community hall to ensure that the all of their hirers and users and the public are not detrimentally effected during the development works to Deben Leisure Centre.
“Support has included providing signage at the front of the development and car park letting people know the Community Centre is open as usual, providing additional lighting for night time hire and promoting this in council communications, such as our Leisure Newsletter and in press releases.
“The council has also provided promotional support for the Farmers Market through social media and also helps to share their marketing material in the reception area of East Suffolk House.”
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