Church Stretton is a market town in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of Shrewsbury as well as 15 miles (24 kilometres) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian as well as Edwardian duration for its landscape, as well as came to be a health resort. The neighborhood geology consists of some of the earliest rocks in England and a remarkable fault is called after the community. Today, Church Stretton is a busy market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water extraction and bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (understood locally as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been operating given that 1883; because 2004 it has provided Princes with mineral water. It is a significant neighborhood company as is the polymer laboratories off Essex Roadway, currently had by Agilent Technologies (until 2009 by Varian). There is an assigned light industrial area between the A49 and also the train line, called Crossways, with a variety of businesses, many of which are in the motoring profession, consisting of an independent petrol/diesel loading station. The town benefits from tourism, which is a growth market in the area, in addition to bring in local trade. A recent study revealed that the town has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are individually possessed, with a varied series of shop types. [48] These include two butchers, numerous outside activities stores, a baker, a delicatessen, a number of garments and footwear stores, 3 financial institutions, as well as 2 supermarkets (Co-op and also Spar). There is a huge vintages market, positioned in a former malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue as well as Easthope Road. There are 4 pubs, an in addition to a variety of coffee shops and also tiny dining establishments. In June 2011 the community was formally stated to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 services marketing fair trade items. There is a tiny art gallery in the former hotel on the corner of Shrewsbury Road as well as Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a number of expert services, such as solicitors, accountants as well as estate representatives, validating its status as a local centre of service. The community continues to benefit from its reputation as a health spa town, as well as a preferable area to live, especially in retired life. Residence rates are above the area average and also have seen similar rises in current times to other health facility communities in the UK.