There's just five miles between our town centres, but a 749-year-old feud is splitting Congleton and Biddulph apart.

A new petition supported by almost 300 residents wants to see the removal of a Congleton-imposed block on a Saturday market in Biddulph.

While Congleton's market flourishes on Saturday's, and to a lesser state on Tuesday's, the Staffordshire town of Biddulph has to separate for a mere Friday market.

Biddulph currently holds its Artisan Market on the first Friday of every month. But many professionals feel they would attend and spend more if it was held on a Saturday, in conjunction with Congleton's.

However, Biddulph is unable to do so because of 749 year old charter held by Cheshire East Council, which prevents any town within almost a seven mile radius of Congleton from having their own market on a Saturday.

Cheshire East Council, who run the market have been contacted for comment. As have Congleton Town Council.

This will be a particularly conscientious issue on the Cheshire-Staffs border, particularly as Congleton celebrates 750 years as a market town in 2022.

A spokesperson for Biddulph Town Council explained on their website: "Our neighbouring town of Congleton is a Charter Market, a status which was granted in 1272.

"This prevents other places in a 6 and 2/3 mile radius from having a market on a Saturday.

"Congleton Town Council is not the custodian of this Charter Right, that rests with Cheshire East Council, who now run the Congleton Market.

"Over the years, Biddulph Town Council has had many discussions about the Charter to ask if we could move our market to a Saturday, but Cheshire East wish to uphold Charter."

Biddulph resident Kayla Powell started the Change.org petition.

She said: "Cheshire East have decided that we in Biddulph cannot hold a market on a Saturday. This means we have to hold it on a Friday when most people are at work.

"Enough is enough! It should be Biddulph's decision [not Cheshire East, not Congleton's].

"As a town we would love to support small local business but as most people work on a Friday when the market is currently on we can't.

"This petition will be delivered to Cheshire East giving the whole town a voice since they do not want to listen to our town council."

Congletonians are invited to sign the petition which will likely elapse 300 signatures by the weekend.

You can add your name here.

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