How the market is organised

The Market is a co-operative of shareholders, most of whom are producers.

The Market is managed on a day to day basis by the Market Manager. The Market Manager ensures that the market runs efficiently and quality standards are maintained. Any concerns about any product sold in the market should be referred to the Market Manager.

Local producers provide goods and produce for the various stalls in the market. Many producers help with sales on the day of the market and are available to answer customer queries.

The Market is managed by a small committee. The current officers are:

Gwen Welch (Chairman)
Pauline Topping (Market Manager)
Christine Campbell (Treasurer)

The Painswick Country Market is part of Gloucestershire WI Markets Ltd, which is affiliated to Country Markets Ltd, whose website is www.country-markets.co.uk

History
Until June 2004, Painswick Country Market was known as the Painswick WI Market. The WI Markets were started in 1919 to provide a place where surplus home made and home grown produce could be sold to the public. The first WI Market stall in Painswick took place in May 1957. The original range of produce was very similar to what we sell now, with the addition of butter and oven ready chickens. The National Federation of Women's Institutes managed the organisation and training of all WI Markets until 1995 when the markets were established as an independent company. At the request of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, it was agreed to change the name from WI Markets in 2004.