Maidstone’s Country Market has been forced to shut just months after it celebrated its 70th anniversary.

The co-operative, based in the United Reformed Church in Week Street, was set up in April 1945 with surplus fruit and vegetables home-grown for the war.

People had been selling their wares there every week, with home-made baking, preserves, and crafts attracting a loyal following of customers.

Former market secretary Sue Chartier said: “We were hoping the 70th anniversary would have rekindled it and got some more producers and helpers to sign up, but unfortunately we were too late and the money in our reserves ran out. It just wasn’t financially viable.

“A lot of markets have closed, and it is a shame because people like them. Part of it is competition from supermarkets but also the fact that we are only open for a short space of time.”

Maidstone Country Market was originally called West Kent Market Stall and held at the agricultural hall at Maidstone Market.

In 1956, the stalls moved to St Faith’s Church Hall and then became Maidstone WI Market. As it became more popular, it swapped to a larger venue at Dunk Memorial Hall, Church Street. Finally in the 1980s, it relocated to its present home, where it was held every Thursday morning up until this month.

As many as 40 producers sold there during its height, but those numbers had dwindled to around a dozen this year.

Now the closest country market is held in the WI Hall, The Street, Bearsted, every Saturday between 10am to 11.15am.

Mrs Chartier said: “The customers were sad that it had to close. One lady said she had been coming every Thursday for 27 years.

“People would come from other towns to have a cup of tea and some home-made cake and a chat. It was a community meeting place for them.

“The members wish to thank all their customers and helpers for their support over the years.”

For more, visit www.country-markets.co.uk.