Anchored in Gosport market ends after agreement can't be reached with council

A monthly market in Gosport town centre has come to an end after organisers failed to secure a new contract.

Anchored in Gosport said its bespoke market will no longer run after its agreement expired in April. Organisers continued for two further events under short-term waivers while Gosport Borough Council considered its future.

Tom Eastwood and Dan Milsom, co-founders of events company Nest & Anchor, which runs the markets, said the temporary arrangement was “far from sustainable” and has now ended without an extension.

The market has operated on the High Street since 2023 and featured a range of independent traders.

In a statement, the pair said they were “incredibly proud” of what the market had become, describing it as a “vibrant” community fixture.

They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We’ve been incredibly proud to organise the markets over the last few years and to work alongside so many fantastic traders, performers, local businesses, volunteers and members of the community.

“Our hope is simply that the markets continue in some form for the benefit of the town, whether that’s through another provider or another arrangement.”

They added that the response to the announcement had been “overwhelming” and thanked supporters.

Deputy council leader Cllr Lesley Meenaghan said: “We’re grateful to Nest and Anchor for their commitment in delivering Gosport’s bespoke markets to date.

“Unfortunately, it has not been possible to reach an agreement with them to deliver the bespoke market at the end of July.

“As a council, we now need to look carefully at how these markets are delivered in future, ensuring best value for money while continuing to support a thriving town centre.”

She said a process to appoint a new organiser for the remaining markets this year would begin soon.

Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Chegwyn described the news as “sad”, adding on social media: “No more monthly markets because the Conservatives and Reform, who now run Gosport Council, won’t sign a new market contract.”

However, the organisers said the contract ended before the May local elections when the Liberal Democrats were still in control.

Gosport Conservatives said the agreement ended in March 2026 under the previous administration and that no arrangements had been made to secure continuity.