Group launches Cheese Market takeover bid

8:00am Thursday 21st August 2008

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A HAY-ON-WYE group planning to take control of a town centre square and a nearby market building have been consulting residents in preparation of its take-over bid.

The Cheese Market and Memorial Square Action Group (CMMSAG), formed in February after a Chamber of Commerce meeting revealed Powys County Council was considering getting rid of both, conducted four separate opinion polls during June and July.

It asked stallholders and customers at markets on the square, traders, primary children and the public how the site should be developed.

Main conclusions were that the Grade II Listed building, currently used for storage and as a toilet for market traders, could be a restaurant, museum, or tourist information centre.

Others thought the square should be used for music and other public events, and that ownership of both should go to the public or to a non profit making organisation.

CMMSAG is now hoping to raise money to buy and convert the area into a multi-use community resource that would be owned and managed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Council spokesperson Lee Evans said alternative uses for the building would be considered first, before it was put on the open market.