A west Suffolk businesswoman has said stallholders need support "more than ever before" as a community leader has raised concerns over struggling markets in the district.

Amy Willis, who runs Cottage & Co, a homewares company with a stall at Bury St Edmunds market, has called on people to "buy local" wherever possible.

She said: "Supporting the markets is more important than ever before - making sure you buy local whenever possible to not only cut out those online delivery fees but keep town centres like Bury St Edmunds thriving and fantastic places to shop.

East Anglian Daily Times: Amy Willis, who runs Cottage & Co, a homewares company with a stall at Bury St Edmunds markeAmy Willis, who runs Cottage & Co, a homewares company with a stall at Bury St Edmunds marke (Image: Amy Willis)

"Our stall is all about going back to old fashioned values, seeing, smelling and touching our ostrich feather dusters, sheepskins and natural dish brushes to feel the quality of the product before purchasing it.

"It’s so important that we can continue to trade like this to be able to offer the best products to our customers." 

The struggles of stallholders across the district was raised during a West Suffolk Council meeting last week. 

Andy Neal, representing Mildenhall, said:  “Our markets are West Suffolk towns’ history and should be embraced, featured and preserved, not neglected the way I feel they currently are.

“We have a duty of care to our historical markets. Currently, they are failing by design and are being grossly undervalued.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Cllr Andy NealCllr Andy Neal (Image: WSC)

Market charges have been frozen in some areas as part of approved budget proposals, as well as investment into calling for more stallholders to join Makers Markets, but Mr Neal called for more to be done. 

Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth, said factors like the cost-of-living crisis and a change in shopping behaviours post-Covid were having an impact.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cllr Indy WijenayakaCllr Indy Wijenayaka (Image: West Suffolk Council)

"We are not leaving these markets to die - it is a very serious issue and we are taking it very seriously," he said.

"I would ask every person to have a bit of patience and understand we are going through a process to come up with the best possible answer to the residents of West Suffolk."

Mr Wijenayaka revealed the council was creating a plan to invest more in the district’s markets.