The Shrewsbury Men’s Shed was recently commissioned by Kate Gittins, who lead Shrewsbury Indoor Market from a very low point to become the UK’s Favourite Market, to design and construct a prototype market stall, with a specific requirement that it be able to fit through standard double doors. Our solution was to allow the base and roof to be detached so that it was compact enough to transport through a doorway, but could be reassabled to present a full-size presence. This initiative aimed to create a versatile and mobile stall solution suitable for use in various indoor and outdoor market settings across the county. The project represented an opportunity to showcase local craftsmanship while supporting community-led design and innovation.

To begin the process, the team at Shrewsbury Men’s Shed created a 1:10 scale model to visualise the design and assess key structural features. Following the successful evaluation of the model, they moved on to construct a full-size prototype. This prototype underwent testing to ensure it met both functional and dimensional criteria, including ease of transport and assembly.

After round table discussions between our design team, Kate, and others with a background in markets, the design was signed off as good for production, marking a significant step in providing flexible, community-driven infrastructure for local markets.