Date of Newbury Artisan Market’s return confirmed, but stallholder George Turner launches petition to have ownership changed from Newbury BID to Newbury Town Council

The return date of a popular Newbury market has been announced, but one stallholder has launched a petition to have its ownership change hands.

Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) and Renartgades have confirmed that Newbury Artisan Market will return on Sunday, April 27.

The popular market takes place on the last Sunday of every month and dominates Northbrook Street with around 60 stalls that sell crafts, gifts, food and more.

Newbury Artisan Market last took place in December and it is now set to return next month.

Newbury BID marketing manager Ben Beardmore-Gray said: “With first-hand experience as small business owners and market traders themselves, Chloe and Libby (the Renartgades team) who are both born and bred in Newbury, have seen huge success in growing the Artisan Market into a much-loved event in the local calendar.

“The fantastic range and quality of traders from the surrounding area is proving extremely popular with visitors each month, and they have further plans for the upcoming markets to make it bigger and better than before.”

However, George Turner, a market stallholder, has launched a petition asking for Newbury Town Council to take over the ownership and operation of Newbury Artisan Market to “ensure it thrives for years to come”.

Mr Turner is the director of Fermented Reality. He makes and sells fermented foods and drinks such as sauerkraut and kombucha.

He has been critical of the BID as to how long it has taken for the Artisan Market to return in 2025, stating that the first edition of the market in 2024 took place in January.

Mr Turner stated: “BID’s inaction has effectively cancelled the market for several months, something which negatively impacted many traders in our town.”

His proposed solution to what he views as mismanagement of the market is to have Newbury Town Council take over the reins.

He added: “Newbury already has markets managed by the Town Council, including the Farmers' Market and the Charter Market.

“Unlike the BID, the town council is accountable to the public, meaning decisions are made for the benefit of the whole town – not just select businesses, the council can listen to traders, residents, and businesses, ensuring fair solutions and we all get a say – because we elect the council members who make these decisions.”

As of yesterday lunchtime (Wednesday), Mr Turner’s petition had gained over 50 signatures after being launched on the previous day.

The online petition can be viewed at https://rebrand.ly/6379b5

Commenting on the petition, Mr Beardmore-Gray of the BID said: “The Artisan Market is an extremely popular event in the local calendar, as seen by many of the comments shared online, and we are delighted that the market will be returning in April.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we worked closely with Renartgades on updated plans for the market behind the scenes, and we are really looking forward to the next event.”