Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury as well as 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 also Edwardian duration for its landscape, and became a health spa. The local geology consists of some of the oldest rocks in England and a notable fault is named after the community. Today, Church Stretton is a hectic market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water removal and also bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (understood locally as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been running considering that 1883; because 2004 it has actually given Princes with mineral water. It is a noteworthy neighborhood employer as is the polymer research laboratories off Essex Road, currently possessed by Agilent Technologies (till 2009 by Varian). There is a designated light industrial park between the A49 and the railway line, called Crossways, with a variety of companies, many of which remain in the car profession, consisting of an independent petrol/diesel filling up station. The community take advantage of tourist, which is a growth sector in the location, along with attracting regional profession. A current survey revealed that the town has some 50 retail electrical outlets, 44 of which are separately owned, with a varied series of shop kinds. [48] These consist of 2 butchers, numerous exterior tasks stores, a baker, a delicatessen, a number of clothing and footwear shops, 3 financial institutions, and 2 grocery stores (Co-op and also Spar). There is a big antiques market, positioned in a previous malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue as well as Easthope Road. There are four clubs, an along with a number of coffee shops and also tiny dining establishments. In June 2011 the town was formally stated to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 companies offering fair trade products. There is a small art gallery in the previous hotel on the corner of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The town additionally has a variety of expert services, such as lawyers, accountants and also estate agents, confirming its condition as a neighborhood centre of service. The community remains to benefit from its track record as a health club town, and a desirable area to live, specifically in retired life. Home costs are above the area standard as well as have seen similar boosts in current times to various other spa communities in the UK.