GTPM 2026 SURVEY RESULTS
Executive Summary
The survey received 34 responses, providing a useful snapshot of how local residents, existing traders, makers, local businesses and visitors currently perceive Great Torrington Pannier Market and what they would like to see develop.
The strongest overall message is that people value the market, but believe it has significant untapped potential.
There is a clear appetite for:
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More variety and a greater number of traders
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High-quality local and handmade products
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Regular Sunday markets and themed events
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Food, craft, vintage and collectables
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Family-friendly activities and workshops
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Live music and entertainment
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Better promotion and advance information about events
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A stronger connection between the market and the wider Great Torrington community
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The market becoming more of a community hub and destination, rather than simply a place to trade
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More interaction between the market, local businesses, charities, community groups and other organisations
The most frequently selected Sunday event types were Handmade & Artisan Markets and Seasonal Celebrations, each selected by 28 of 34 respondents (82%). These were followed by Collectables Markets (74%) and Food & Drink Markets (68%).
There is also a very strong demand for particular product categories. Local food and produce was selected by 29 respondents (85%), followed by handmade crafts (79%), plants and gardening (74%), vintage items (68%), and books and stationery (62%).
Perhaps the most significant finding is that respondents repeatedly associate a successful market with choice, quality, variety and atmosphere. Several comments make it clear that simply increasing the number of stalls is not enough: respondents want the market to feel curated, attractive, professional and worth making a special trip to.
There is also evidence that the market has an important existing community asset in its friendly atmosphere, independent traders, historic building and central location. The opportunity is therefore not to replace what people value, but to build upon it and make the market more visible, active and relevant.
1. Respondent Profile
The survey therefore has a strong local-community perspective, with almost half of respondents identifying as local residents. Importantly, it also includes people who trade in or around the market, makers and visitors, giving a reasonably broad range of perspectives.
2. Overall Market Usage
Across all respondents:
76% visit at least monthly, while half of all respondents visit weekly.
This is encouraging, but it also suggests there is a significant opportunity to increase frequency among occasional visitors and attract people who do not currently visit.
3. Strongest Overall Themes
3.1 Variety is the dominant issue
The most repeated theme throughout the survey is the desire for more variety.
Respondents repeatedly asked for:
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More traders
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Different traders
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More local businesses
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More craft stalls
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More food
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More vintage and collectables
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More events
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More reasons to visit on different days
There is also a clear distinction between quantity and quality. Respondents do not simply want the market filled; they want interesting, appropriate and quality traders.
3.2 The market should become a destination
Several responses describe a desire for the market to become somewhere people choose to visit, rather than somewhere they happen to walk through.
Comments refer to:
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Creating a "buzz"
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Making the market more welcoming
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Making it the "heart" of the town
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Creating a community hub
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Attracting tourists
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Working with other town businesses
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Creating events that are different from those elsewhere
3.3 Events are seen as a major opportunity
There is strong support for Sunday events, particularly:
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Handmade & Artisan Markets – 28
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Seasonal Celebrations – 28
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Collectables Markets – 25
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Food & Drink Markets – 23
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Community Events – 18
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Eco & Sustainability Fairs – 18
This suggests that a regular, clearly branded programme of themed events could become an important part of the market's future.
3.4 Food is particularly important
Food appears repeatedly across the survey:
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Local food and produce was the most requested product category.
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Food & Drink Markets were one of the most popular event types.
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Respondents suggested farmers' markets, foodie events, fish, meat, cheese and local produce.
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Coffee and refreshments were mentioned as factors that would encourage people to stay longer.
There is therefore an opportunity to make food and hospitality part of the market experience, rather than treating it as an additional element.
3.5 Families and younger people need a reason to visit
Suggestions included:
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Children's/pocket-money markets
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Craft activities
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Treasure hunts
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Face painting
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Bouncy castles
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Puppet shows
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Workshops
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Holiday activities
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Family days
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Music and entertainment
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A children's area or café/play space
The responses suggest that simply advertising the market to families is unlikely to be enough. Activities and experiences need to be built into the offer.
4. Analysis by "Which Best Describes You?"
A. Local Residents
Numbers
16 respondents – 47% of the survey
This is by far the largest respondent group.
Market usage
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9 weekly
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5 monthly
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1 a few times a year
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1 rarely
Therefore, 14 of the 16 local residents (88%) visit at least monthly.
What they value
Local residents particularly value:
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Friendly traders
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Community atmosphere
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Local producers
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Independent businesses
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The historic building
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The central location
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The market as an indoor place to browse
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Plants and local produce
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Social interaction
The market is clearly already valued as a community asset.
What would encourage more visits?
The overwhelming request is greater variety.
Residents asked for:
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More diverse stalls
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More traders
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Different traders
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Quality craft stalls
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More homemade goods
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More food and local produce
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Fish, meat and cheese
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More events
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Sunday opening
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Workshops
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Better opening hours
One recurring sentiment is that the market can feel repetitive when the same stalls are present.
Improvements requested
Residents identified:
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More stalls
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More local businesses
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Better presentation
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A more welcoming appearance
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More activity and "buzz"
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Fuller shop units
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Better opening hours
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Better parking arrangements
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A more professional appearance
There is an important balance here: some residents already think the market is clean, attractive and well presented, while others feel parts of it look dated or underused.
This suggests that presentation may need to be considered from the customer's perspective, not simply whether the space is technically clean.
Event preferences
Top choices among residents:
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Seasonal events – 14/16
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Handmade & Artisan Markets – 13/16
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Food & Drink Markets – 13/16
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Collectables – 11/16
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Community Events – 11/16
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Eco & Sustainability – 10/16
Product preferences
Strongest demand:
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Plants & gardening – 15/16
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Local food & produce – 14/16
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Handmade crafts – 13/16
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Art & photography – 11/16
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Vintage – 11/16
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Health & wellbeing – 10/16
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Books & stationery – 10/16
Key note
Local residents are not asking for the market to become something completely different. They want the existing market to become bigger, more varied, more active and more interesting.
The repeated references to the market being the "heart" or "hub" of the town are particularly significant.
B. Artisan/Makers
Numbers
7 respondents – 21%
Market usage
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2 weekly
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1 monthly
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3 a few times a year
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1 rarely
This group is noticeably less frequent in its market visits than local residents.
What they value
Makers appreciate:
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Friendly atmosphere
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Independent traders
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Handmade products
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Local people
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Historical setting
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Space
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Existing plant and soap businesses
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Café and independent businesses
What would encourage more visits?
The strongest demand is for craft-led activity:
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More craft fairs
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Regular artisan markets
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Craft workshops
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Special events
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Vintage markets
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Local music
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Better quality traders
Improvements
Suggestions included:
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More events
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More stalls
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New traders
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Better quality of traders
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Better social media coverage
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Heating during colder months
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Fresh food/farmers' market
Event preferences
The strongest preference is very clear: Handmade & Artisan Markets – 7/7
This was followed by:
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Craft Workshops – 5/7
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Seasonal Celebrations – 5/7
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Collectables – 5/7
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Destash – 4/7
Product preferences
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Handmade crafts – 7/7
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Vintage – 5/7
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Local food – 5/7
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Art & photography – 4/7
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Clothing – 4/7
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Books & stationery – 4/7
Key note
This group strongly supports the development of a recognisable artisan/craft identity for the market.
They also provide a potential pool of traders for future themed events, workshops and specialist markets.
C. Existing Traders
Numbers
5 respondents – 15%
Market usage
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4 weekly
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1 monthly
This is the most consistently frequent group.
What they value
Existing traders value:
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The friendly atmosphere
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Other traders
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Regular customers
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Community interaction
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The variety of existing businesses
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The social role of the market
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The convenience of tables being provided
What would encourage more visits/trading?
Their priorities are somewhat different from residents.
They highlighted:
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Better marketing of events
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More events
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More stallholders
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Parking permits
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Free or improved trader parking
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More local produce
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Potentially changing the Wednesday luncheon day
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Licensing for alcohol sales
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Better sound/music arrangements
Improvements
Practical operational issues are more prominent:
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Trader parking
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Parking/loading arrangements
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Market-day music
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More local produce
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Premises licensing
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Potential reconsideration of Wednesday trading
Event preferences
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Collectables – 4/5
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Handmade & Artisan – 4/5
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Seasonal Celebrations – 4/5
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Food & Drink – 3/5
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Community Events – 3/5
Product preferences
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Local food & produce – 5/5
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Plants & gardening – 4/5
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Vintage – 4/5
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Handmade crafts – 3/5
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Books & stationery – 3/5
Key note
The existing trader group highlights an important operational dimension: increasing customer activity needs to be matched with practical support for traders.
Parking, trading days, event promotion and market infrastructure could all affect trader retention and participation.
D. Local Business Owners
Numbers
2 respondents – 6%
Although this is a small sample, the responses are useful because they consider the market from the perspective of businesses operating within the wider town.
Market usage
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1 weekly
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1 monthly
What they value
They particularly like:
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The aesthetic
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The atmosphere
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The historic/physical setting
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The market's position within the arcade
What would encourage more visits?
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More traders
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More groceries
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Eco-friendly businesses
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Clothing
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Greater variety
Improvements
Suggestions included:
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Better cleaning
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More plants
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More stalls
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A fuller appearance
One respondent specifically commented that a small number of stalls spread around the space can make the market appear empty or forlorn.
Event preferences
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Collectables – 2/2
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Community Events – 2/2
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Seasonal Celebrations – 2/2
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Eco/Sustainability – 2/2
Product preferences
Both respondents selected:
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Local food & produce
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Clothing & accessories
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Health & wellbeing
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Books & stationery
Key note
The business-owner responses reinforce the wider message that market activity contributes to the visual vitality of the wider town.
A busy, attractive market is potentially beneficial not just to market traders but to surrounding businesses.
E. Visitors to Great Torrington
Numbers
2 respondents – 6%
Market usage
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1 monthly
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1 a few times a year
Both respondents are from outside Great Torrington, with one specifically travelling from Barnstaple.
What they value
Visitors mentioned:
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Local stalls
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Antique shops
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The atmosphere
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The yarn shop
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Independent businesses
What would encourage more visits?
They specifically want:
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Craft stalls
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Local food outlets
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Weekend activity
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Antique fairs
Improvements
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Greater variety
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Seating
Sunday event preferences
Interest was divided between:
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Handmade/artisan
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Food & drink
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Craft workshops
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Eco/sustainability
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Wellbeing
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Collectables
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Seasonal events
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Destash
Product preferences
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Handmade crafts – 2/2
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Gifts & homeware – 2/2
Key note
The visitor responses are particularly important because they show the potential for the market to become a destination capable of drawing people into Great Torrington from outside the town.
The combination of crafts + food + antiques/collectables + atmosphere appears particularly attractive.
F. Other – Unit in Pannier Market Arcade
Numbers
1 respondent – 3%
The respondent operates a business within the market.
Key observations
They value:
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Community interaction
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Visitors
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The market as a meeting place
They would stay open later if there were more customer activity.
They support:
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Artisan markets
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Food events
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Community events
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Eco events
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Women's events
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Wellbeing
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Seasonal celebrations
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Collectables
They specifically suggested:
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Live music/food events
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Vintage markets
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Craft trails
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Greater interaction between the market and community
Key note
This response reinforces the idea that increased market activity could have a positive knock-on effect for permanent businesses operating within the market.
G. Other – Artisan/Maker & Local Resident
Numbers
1 respondent – 3%
This respondent had not yet visited the market, making their perspective particularly interesting.
What would encourage a first visit?
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Variety of events
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Quality traders
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Themed events
Event preferences
They selected:
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Handmade/artisan
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Food & drink
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Destash
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Craft workshops
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Collectables
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Seasonal
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Wellbeing
Product preferences
They selected:
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Local food
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Handmade crafts
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Art
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Gifts/homeware
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Clothing
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Plants/gardening
Key note
This response demonstrates that potential customers may need a specific reason to make their first visit.
A clearly promoted themed event may therefore be more effective at generating new visitors than generic "market open" messaging.
5. Sunday Events – Overall Numbers
Across all 34 respondents:
Event typeResponses%
Handmade & Artisan Markets2882%
Seasonal Celebrations2882%
Collectables Markets2574%
Food & Drink Markets2368%
Community Events1853%
Eco & Sustainability Fair1853%
Craft Workshops1647%
Wellbeing & Holistic Events1544%
Destash Day1338%
Family Fun Days926%
Women's Day721%
Pet Day721%
Interpretation
The results suggest three particularly strong event pillars:
1. MAKING
Artisan markets, craft workshops and handmade products.
2. DISCOVERY
Collectables, vintage, destash and specialist products.
3. EXPERIENCE
Food, seasonal celebrations, music, entertainment and community activity.
Rather than relying on one type of Sunday market, the data supports creating a varied annual programme.
5. Sunday Events – Overall Numbers
Across all 34 respondents:
Interpretation
The results suggest three particularly strong event pillars:
1. MAKING - Artisan markets, craft workshops and handmade products.
2. DISCOVERY - Collectables, vintage, destash and specialist products.
3. EXPERIENCE - Food, seasonal celebrations, music, entertainment and community activity.
Rather than relying on one type of Sunday market, the data supports creating a varied annual programme.
6. Product Demand – Overall Numbers
Additional suggestions included:
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Vinyl records
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Musical instruments
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Refill products
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Eco businesses
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Net-zero businesses
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Environmental products
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Live music
Key implication
The survey provides strong evidence for broadening the market mix, rather than concentrating solely on traditional craft stalls.
7. The Market's Potential Role in Great Torrington
One of the clearest qualitative findings is the strength of feeling about the market's potential role in the town.
Respondents described it as:
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The heart of the town
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A community hub
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A central part of Great Torrington
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A place for people to meet
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A place to shop locally
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A way of promoting the town to visitors
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A place to promote local talent
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A venue for evening events
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A place to connect businesses and community groups
This is potentially the most important strategic finding in the survey.
The market is not being viewed simply as a collection of stalls. Respondents are describing it as a piece of town infrastructure.
8. Community Engagement
There is considerable appetite for the market to become more involved with:
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Local charities
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Scouts and Guides
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Schools
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Playschools
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Community groups
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Local artists
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Local musicians
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The library
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Local environmental organisations
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Other independent businesses
Suggestions included a rotating free charity/community stall, fundraising events, volunteering information and community activities.
This could provide the market with a stronger sense of purpose while simultaneously generating additional reasons for people to visit.
9. Family and Young People
The responses indicate that younger visitors are unlikely to be attracted simply by conventional retail.
The strongest suggestions were participatory experiences:
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Craft workshops
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Treasure hunts
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Pocket-money markets
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Face painting
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Bouncy castles
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Puppet shows/workshops
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Holiday events
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Games
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Pet experiences
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Music
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Family markets
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Children's areas
A particularly interesting suggestion was a children's "pocket money" market, where children could potentially participate as sellers.
This could be developed into a distinctive Great Torrington event rather than simply adding children's entertainment to an existing market.
10. Presentation, Atmosphere and Identity
There is some conflicting feedback around presentation.
Some respondents describe the market as:
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Beautifully presented
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Clean
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Airy
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Well maintained
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Friendly
Others describe parts of it as:
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Dated
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Jumble-sale-like
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Unwelcoming
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Empty
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Forlorn
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Lacking "buzz"
These responses should not necessarily be treated as contradictory.
They suggest that the physical market itself may be attractive, while individual stall presentation and periods of low occupancy can undermine the customer's perception of the whole venue.
One particularly useful suggestion was the idea of more consistent gazebo/stall presentation, creating a more cohesive visual identity.
11. Opening Hours and Timing
Opening hours were mentioned repeatedly.
Respondents requested:
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More days
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Longer opening hours
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Weekend activity
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Sunday opening
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Opening later
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Better use of existing market days
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Greater activity when the market is advertised as open
There is also an important point around evening activity.
Suggestions included:
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Acoustic music
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Food
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Tables and chairs
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Relaxed evening events
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Community gatherings
This potentially creates a completely different use of the building outside traditional market hours.
12. Marketing and Promotion
T
The survey indicates that events need to be actively marketed.
Respondents specifically mentioned:
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More advertising
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Better social media coverage
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Enough notice to plan visits
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Clear information about what will be at each event
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Promotion around the wider town
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Promoting Great Torrington itself as part of the experience
This suggests that an event should not simply be advertised as: "Market – Sunday 10am–4pm" but rather communicate why someone should make the journey. For example: "Great Torrington Artisan Sunday – 30+ local makers, live acoustic music, local food, craft workshops and independent shops."
The experience becomes the product.
13. Conclusions
Based on the survey, the strongest strategic direction would appear to be:
1. Increase variety, not simply stall numbers
Recruiting more traders is important, but curation and quality need to remain central.
2. Establish a recognisable Sunday programme
The data strongly supports regular themed Sunday events.
3. Build around four core strengths
LOCAL – HANDMADE – FOOD – EXPERIENCE. These themes appear repeatedly throughout the responses.
4. Make the market a destination
The objective should be to give people a reason to travel specifically to the market, rather than relying solely on existing footfall.
5. Connect the market to the wider town
Work with:
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Local businesses
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Charities
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Schools
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Community groups
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Artists
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Musicians
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Local organisations
6. Improve visual consistency
A more cohesive stall/gazebo presentation could significantly influence how customers perceive the market.
7. Develop family programming
Family events should involve activities and participation, not simply stalls.
8. Explore food and evening events
The survey provides clear support for food-led events and some appetite for relaxed evening activity.
9. Support traders operationally
Parking, loading, licensing, music and appropriate trading days are issues that should be considered alongside customer-facing improvements.
10. Measure the impact
Future events should ideally track:
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Visitor numbers
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Trader numbers
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Trader satisfaction
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Customer satisfaction
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Repeat visits
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Event-specific performance
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Social media reach
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Local business impact
This would allow future decisions to be based on evidence rather than anecdote.
Conclusions
The survey provides a positive mandate for change.
Importantly, respondents are not calling for the Pannier Market to abandon its identity. Quite the opposite: they repeatedly value its history, character, independent traders, community atmosphere and local connections.
What they want is for those qualities to be activated and amplified.
The clearest message from the 34 responses could be summarised as, "Make the market busier, more varied, more attractive and more connected to the community while maintaining quality and its local identity."
There is a particularly strong opportunity to position Great Torrington Pannier Market as a regular destination for local food, handmade products, independent businesses, vintage and collectables, community activity and experiences, supported by a consistent programme of themed events.
That direction appears to have support not only from residents, but also from makers, existing traders, local businesses and visitors making it a potentially strong foundation for the next stage of the market's development.