Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury as well as 15 miles (24 kilometres) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The community was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian as well as Edwardian period for its landscape, as well as became a health resort. The regional geology consists of several of the oldest rocks in England and a remarkable mistake is called after the town. Today, Church Stretton is an active market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water extraction as well as bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (understood locally as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been operating considering that 1883; considering that 2004 it has supplied Princes with mineral water. It is a significant neighborhood employer as is the polymer research laboratories off Essex Roadway, currently had by Agilent Technologies (till 2009 by Varian). There is a marked light industrial park in between the A49 and the train line, known as Crossways, with a variety of organisations, many of which remain in the motoring profession, consisting of an independent petrol/diesel filling station. The community take advantage of tourism, which is a growth sector in the location, as well as bring in regional profession. A recent study revealed that the community has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are separately owned, with a diverse range of shop kinds. [48] These consist of 2 butchers, several outside tasks shops, a baker, a deli, a number of garments and shoe shops, three banks, and also two grocery stores (Co-op as well as Spar). There is a huge vintages market, positioned in a former malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are four pubs, an along with a number of coffee shops as well as tiny restaurants. In June 2011 the community was formally proclaimed to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 companies selling fair trade items. There is a small art gallery in the former hotel on the edge of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The community additionally has a variety of professional solutions, such as lawyers, accounting professionals and also estate agents, verifying its standing as a neighborhood centre of business. The community continues to take advantage of its reputation as a day spa community, and also a preferable place to live, especially in retirement. House rates are above the region standard and also have actually seen comparable rises in recent times to various other health spa communities in the UK.