Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 kilometres) 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 and also Edwardian period for its landscape, and ended up being a health spa. The neighborhood geology consists of some of the oldest rocks in England and also a notable mistake is called after the community. Today, Church Stretton is a hectic market town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water removal as well as bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been operating considering that 1883; given that 2004 it has offered Princes with mineral water. It is a significant neighborhood company as is the polymer laboratories off Essex Roadway, currently owned by Agilent Technologies (till 2009 by Varian). There is a designated light industrial area in between the A49 and also the railway line, referred to as Crossways, with a variety of services, a number of which remain in the motoring trade, consisting of an independent petrol/diesel filling terminal. The community gain from tourism, which is a growth industry in the area, as well as bring in neighborhood profession. A recent survey revealed that the community has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are individually owned, with a diverse series of shop kinds. [48] These consist of two butchers, numerous outdoor activities stores, a baker, a delicatessen, several garments as well as footwear shops, 3 financial institutions, and two grocery stores (Co-op as well as Spar). There is a large vintages market, situated in a former malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are four pubs, an in addition to a number of cafes and tiny dining establishments. In June 2011 the community was officially stated to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 services marketing fair trade items. There is a tiny art gallery in the previous resort on the corner of Shrewsbury Road as well as Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a variety of professional solutions, such as solicitors, accounting professionals as well as estate representatives, confirming its condition as a local centre of business. The community remains to benefit from its reputation as a health spa town, as well as a desirable location to live, specifically in retirement. Residence prices are above the region standard as well as have actually seen similar increases in recent times to various other health facility communities in the UK.