THE state of an historic weekly New Forest charter market has been described as a “true tragedy” for town councillors.

Numbers at the Wednesday market in Ringwood have dwindled in recent weeks.

Ringwood Town Council held talks at a meeting over events at the Gateway Square, however attention soon turned to the need to address issues regarding the charter market, which dates back to the 13th century.

Town councillor Michael Thierry said he shared concerns with “many people” over the health and wellbeing of the market.

“It is not as it once was and I think we would all acknowledge that the market has not grown and developed as other markets have done,” Cllr Thierry said.

“We have seen markets up and down the country closing. Markets that survive are ones which have been prepared to look at a fresh approach, to bring in investment, to look and see how they can their market more relevant to the trading needs of that particular town.”

Cllr Thierry highlighted nearby towns with thriving markets, including Christchurch and Lymington.

He called for the council to open up a dialogue with Lord of the Manor, Edward Morant, who owns the charter, to explore how help can provided for the Wednesday market.

“”What is the malaise of the Wednesday market,” Cllr Thierry added.

“What is wrong with it? Do we as a council have a responsibility to do all we can to resuscitate that particularly ailing body?”

The meeting was due to discuss the granting of licences for markets in the Gateway Square at weekends.

This subject became more straightforward when it was announced one of the current licensees would not be continuing after this month.

On the charter market, Cllr Jeremy Heron said the situation was a “true tragedy”.

He said: “This town council should stop worrying about the Gateway Square and promoting operating markets on that, and we should look at how can offer support to our Wednesday market, which has been going on for many hundreds of years and I think sadly needs our support.”

“It is something in trouble and something we are rightly proud of having had the charter since the 1200s. I personally like to think we would throw our weight behind it in any we can rather than worrying about trying to provide a new Saturday market into the Gateway.”