It has been a key fixture of the community since 1836 and has stood the test of time, providing a place for independent traders to make their mark. But, in a pattern seen by town centres across Wales, passing trade became a problem for Bridgend Indoor Market, not least when the pandemic hit, of course.
But the market and its traders are now fighting back. They feel now is the time to push what the market has to offer, especially during the cost-of-living crisis, when more people may be discovering the importance and benefits of shopping locally.
I went along to the market, located in The Rhiw Shopping Centre, to meet some of the people who make it tick. One of them was Tim Wood, mayor of Bridgend, who runs the longest standing business in the market - Peter Wood and Sons Butchers. It has been run by his family for over 50 years, and he took it over from his father who ran it 20 years ago. He told me: “People like the personal touch and what we can offer here."
