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 town was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian and Edwardian period for its landscape, and also became a health spa. The local geology includes a few of the earliest rocks in England and a notable mistake is called after the town. Today, Church Stretton is an active market town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water removal and also bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (recognized locally as the 'Pop Works'), has actually been operating considering that 1883; because 2004 it has actually supplied Princes with mineral water. It is a remarkable local company as is the polymer labs off Essex Road, currently owned by Agilent Technologies (up until 2009 by Varian). There is a marked light industrial park between the A49 and also the railway line, known as Crossways, with a variety of services, much of which are in the motoring profession, including an independent petrol/diesel filling terminal. The community benefits from tourist, which is a growth market in the location, in addition to drawing in neighborhood profession. A current survey showed that the community has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are separately possessed, with a varied series of shop kinds. [48] These include 2 butchers, numerous outdoor activities shops, a baker, a deli, several clothes and also footwear stores, three financial institutions, and two supermarkets (Co-op as well as Spar). There is a large vintages market, situated in a former malthouse on the corner of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are 4 bars, an along with a number of cafes as well as tiny restaurants. In June 2011 the town was officially declared to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 services marketing fair trade products. There is a small art gallery in the previous resort on the corner of Shrewsbury Road and Sandford Avenue. The town also has a number of expert solutions, such as lawyers, accountants and estate representatives, confirming its status as a regional centre of service. The town continues to gain from its reputation as a medspa community, and also a desirable place to live, particularly in retirement. Residence costs are above the county average as well as have actually seen similar rises in recent times to other day spa towns in the UK.