“It’s the end of an era.”
That was the reaction of shoppers as they walked into the final clearance sale at Wimborne Market after more than 165 years in Station Road.
Developers McCarthy & Stone acquired the site and have since begun construction on their “flagship” retirement village.
The final sale was held on Friday, February 11, and Saturday, February 12 where stall holders were able to sell any remaining stock where tables were laid out with all manner of goods.
Shoppers were able to grab a bargain with all items needing to go, from china tea sets to cabinets and hoovers.
One lady helping out with the sale said: “Everybody says how sad it is - it’s an end of an era.
“We’d like to move sites and obviously that’s down to the showground so we’ll sit and wait and keep our fingers crossed.
“Obviously I can see that a lot of people are going to miss the market, I’ve had a lot of people commenting on how sad it is.
“Many people have been here all their lives, when the train line was here and when it was a livestock market, it was an essential part of Wimborne.
“But time changes doesn’t it.”
READ MORE: Street Market at Dolphin Centre welcomes small businesses
READ MORE: Construction starts on former Wimborne Market site
A smaller market at the Allendale was held through January.
Ensors Ltd, the company of Wimborne Market owner John George, has applied for permission to hold a market at the Wimborne Showground and Lake Gates.
This application is still being considered by Dorset Council’s planning department.
Mr George confirmed to the Daily Echo that McCarthy & Stone were due to take over the whole site from today, February 14, which was the reason for the final sale.
He said efforts had been made to clear the market site out after generations of trading.
Thomas Ensor founded a market in Wimborne 1855, and it has been running ever since.
Bosses blamed “excessively high business rates” and “changing shopping habits” for the market’s closure in February 2020.
The site continued to operate as a market however, until McCarthy & Stone had a planning application approved for their retirement development last year.
The scheme includes 67 apartments, 26 bungalows, six chalet bungalows, all of which are age restricted for older people, a wellness centre and nine open-market houses.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel