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 period for its landscape, and also became a health spa. The local geology consists of some of the oldest rocks in England and a remarkable mistake is called after the community. Today, Church Stretton is a hectic market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water extraction as well as bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (recognized locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been operating since 1883; considering that 2004 it has actually supplied Princes with mineral water. It is a noteworthy neighborhood employer as is the polymer labs off Essex Roadway, presently possessed by Agilent Technologies (up until 2009 by Varian). There is a marked light industrial area between the A49 and the railway line, referred to as Crossways, with a number of organisations, a number of which are in the car profession, consisting of an independent petrol/diesel loading terminal. The community gain from tourism, which is a development sector in the area, as well as attracting local profession. A recent study showed that the community has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are independently owned, with a diverse variety of shop types. [48] These consist of two butchers, several outdoor tasks stores, a baker, a delicatessen, numerous garments and also footwear shops, three banks, and 2 supermarkets (Co-op and Spar). There is a large vintages market, positioned in a previous malthouse on the edge of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are four bars, an in addition to a number of cafes and also tiny dining establishments. In June 2011 the town was officially stated to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 services selling fair trade items. There is a tiny art gallery in the previous hotel on the corner of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The community additionally has a number of professional services, such as solicitors, accountants as well as estate representatives, verifying its standing as a local centre of business. The community continues to benefit from its credibility as a medical spa town, and a desirable place to live, particularly in retired life. Residence costs are above the county average and also have actually seen similar increases in current times to other medical spa towns in the UK.