Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of Shrewsbury and 15 miles (24 kilometres) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian as well as Edwardian period for its landscape, as well as ended up being a health resort. The local geology consists of a few of the earliest rocks in England and a noteworthy fault 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 (recognized in your area as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been running considering that 1883; since 2004 it has actually provided Princes with mineral water. It is a significant regional employer as is the polymer laboratories off Essex Roadway, currently had by Agilent Technologies (until 2009 by Varian). There is an assigned light enterprise zone in between the A49 and also the train line, known as Crossways, with a variety of services, much of which remain in the car trade, including an independent petrol/diesel filling up terminal. The town benefits from tourist, which is a growth market in the area, along with attracting neighborhood profession. A recent study showed that the community has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are separately owned, with a diverse series of shop kinds. [48] These include two butchers, a number of exterior activities stores, a baker, a delicatessen, several garments as well as shoe stores, three banks, as well as two grocery stores (Co-op and Spar). There is a huge antiques market, positioned in a former malthouse on the edge of Sandford Avenue as well as Easthope Road. There are 4 clubs, an along with a variety of coffee shops as well as small dining establishments. In June 2011 the town was officially declared to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 companies marketing fair trade products. There is a tiny art gallery in the former resort on the edge of Shrewsbury Road and Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a number of professional services, such as lawyers, accounting professionals as well as estate agents, verifying its condition as a regional centre of service. The town remains to benefit from its online reputation as a day spa community, and a desirable area to live, specifically in retired life. House rates are above the region average and also have seen comparable rises in current times to other health facility communities in the UK.