Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury as well as 15 miles (24 km) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian and Edwardian period for its landscape, and also became a health spa. The neighborhood geology consists of a few of the oldest rocks in England and also a remarkable fault is called after the community. Today, Church Stretton is a busy market town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water extraction and bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known locally as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been operating given that 1883; since 2004 it has actually given Princes with mineral water. It is a significant local company as is the polymer research laboratories off Essex Roadway, presently possessed by Agilent Technologies (till 2009 by Varian). There is an assigned light enterprise zone between the A49 and also the train line, called Crossways, with a variety of companies, most of which are in the car profession, including an independent petrol/diesel loading terminal. The town take advantage of tourism, which is a development market in the area, as well as attracting regional profession. A recent survey showed that the community has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are independently had, with a diverse variety of shop kinds. [48] These consist of 2 butchers, numerous exterior activities stores, a baker, a deli, several garments as well as shoe shops, three financial institutions, and 2 supermarkets (Co-op and also Spar). There is a large antiques market, situated in a previous malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue and Easthope Road. There are four pubs, an as well as a number of coffee shops and also tiny restaurants. In June 2011 the community was officially declared to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 businesses offering fair trade items. There is a tiny art gallery in the previous resort on the edge of Shrewsbury Road and Sandford Avenue. The town also has a variety of professional solutions, such as solicitors, accounting professionals and also estate representatives, validating its standing as a regional centre of organisation. The town continues to gain from its online reputation as a medical spa town, and also a desirable location to live, specifically in retired life. House costs are above the county standard and have actually seen comparable increases in current times to various other spa towns in the UK.