Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury and 15 miles (24 km) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The community was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian as well as Edwardian duration for its landscape, and also became a health resort. The regional geology consists of a few of the oldest rocks in England and also a noteworthy mistake is named after the town. Today, Church Stretton is a hectic market town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water removal and bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known in your area as the 'Pop Works'), has been operating since 1883; because 2004 it has actually offered Princes with mineral water. It is a remarkable neighborhood employer as is the polymer research laboratories off Essex Roadway, presently had by Agilent Technologies (until 2009 by Varian). There is a designated light industrial park in between the A49 as well as the train line, known as Crossways, with a number of businesses, a number of which are in the car profession, including an independent petrol/diesel loading station. The community take advantage of tourist, which is a development industry in the location, in addition to attracting regional profession. A current survey revealed that the community has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are individually had, with a varied variety of shop types. [48] These include two butchers, several exterior activities stores, a baker, a delicatessen, a number of clothing as well as shoe shops, 3 banks, and 2 grocery stores (Co-op and Spar). There is a big vintages market, positioned in a former malthouse on the edge of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are four pubs, an as well as a number of cafes as well as little dining establishments. In June 2011 the community was officially declared to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 organisations selling fair trade products. There is a small art gallery in the former hotel on the edge of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a variety of specialist services, such as solicitors, accounting professionals as well as estate agents, verifying its standing as a neighborhood centre of service. The community remains to gain from its reputation as a health club town, as well as a desirable location to live, specifically in retired life. House prices are above the county standard and have actually seen similar increases in current times to various other medspa communities in the UK.