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 community was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian and Edwardian period for its landscape, and came to be a health resort. The regional geology includes several of the oldest rocks in England and a significant fault is called after the town. Today, Church Stretton is a hectic market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water extraction and also bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (understood locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been running because 1883; since 2004 it has actually offered Princes with mineral water. It is a notable local company as is the polymer laboratories off Essex Roadway, currently possessed by Agilent Technologies (till 2009 by Varian). There is a marked light industrial area in between the A49 as well as the train line, referred to as Crossways, with a variety of businesses, much of which remain in the motoring trade, including an independent petrol/diesel filling terminal. The town gain from tourist, which is a growth market in the location, in addition to bring in regional profession. A recent survey showed that the community has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are individually possessed, with a diverse series of store kinds. [48] These include two butchers, a number of outdoor activities shops, a baker, a delicatessen, several garments and also shoe stores, 3 financial institutions, as well as 2 supermarkets (Co-op and also Spar). There is a large vintages market, located in a previous malthouse on the edge of Sandford Avenue as well as Easthope Road. There are 4 clubs, an in addition to a number of coffee shops as well as tiny dining establishments. In June 2011 the community was formally stated to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 companies selling fair trade items. There is a tiny art gallery in the previous resort on the edge of Shrewsbury Road as well as Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a number of expert services, such as solicitors, accountants and also estate agents, confirming its standing as a regional centre of business. The town continues to benefit from its track record as a health spa town, as well as a preferable area to live, specifically in retirement. Home costs are above the region average as well as have seen similar boosts in recent times to various other medical spa towns in the UK.