Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury and also 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 also Edwardian duration for its landscape, and became a health resort. The neighborhood geology consists of several of the earliest rocks in England and a notable 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 also bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been running since 1883; since 2004 it has provided Princes with mineral water. It is a noteworthy local company as is the polymer research laboratories off Essex Road, presently possessed by Agilent Technologies (until 2009 by Varian). There is a designated light industrial park in between the A49 and the train line, called Crossways, with a number of businesses, many of which are in the motoring trade, including an independent petrol/diesel filling terminal. The community gain from tourist, which is a growth industry in the location, along with drawing in neighborhood trade. A recent study showed that the town has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are separately owned, with a varied range of shop types. [48] These include 2 butchers, several exterior tasks stores, a baker, a deli, several garments and also shoe shops, 3 financial institutions, and also two supermarkets (Co-op as well as Spar). There is a big antiques market, located in a previous malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are four bars, an along with a variety of cafes and little restaurants. In June 2011 the town was officially proclaimed to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 businesses selling fair trade products. There is a small art gallery in the previous hotel on the corner of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a number of expert solutions, such as solicitors, accountants and estate agents, validating its status as a neighborhood centre of service. The community continues to gain from its credibility as a health club community, as well as a preferable location to live, especially in retirement. Residence prices are above the region standard and have actually seen similar increases in recent times to various other health facility communities in the UK.