Church Stretton is a market community in Shropshire, England, 13 miles (21 km) south of Shrewsbury and also 15 miles (24 kilometres) north of Ludlow. The population in 2011 was 4,671. The community was nicknamed Little Switzerland in the late Victorian as well as Edwardian period for its landscape, as well as came to be a health resort. The regional geology consists of a few of the oldest rocks in England as well as a noteworthy fault is called after the community. Today, Church Stretton is an active market community in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mineral water removal and bottling plant on Shrewsbury Road (known locally as the 'Pop Works'), has been running considering that 1883; because 2004 it has offered Princes with mineral water. It is a remarkable regional employer as is the polymer laboratories off Essex Road, currently had by Agilent Technologies (until 2009 by Varian). There is a marked light enterprise zone between the A49 as well as the railway line, referred to as Crossways, with a variety of businesses, much of which are in the motoring profession, including an independent petrol/diesel filling terminal. The community take advantage of tourism, which is a development market in the area, along with drawing in regional trade. A recent survey revealed that the town has some 50 retail outlets, 44 of which are individually owned, with a diverse series of store types. [48] These consist of 2 butchers, numerous outdoor activities stores, a baker, a delicatessen, numerous clothing and also shoe shops, three financial institutions, and 2 grocery stores (Co-op and also Spar). There is a big vintages market, situated in a previous malthouse on the edge of Sandford Avenue and also Easthope Road. There are 4 bars, an in addition to a variety of cafes and also small restaurants. In June 2011 the community was officially proclaimed to be a "Fairtrade Town" with 34 organisations marketing fair trade items. There is a small art gallery in the former resort on the edge of Shrewsbury Road and also Sandford Avenue. The town likewise has a variety of professional solutions, such as lawyers, accountants as well as estate representatives, verifying its status as a neighborhood centre of organisation. The town remains to benefit from its track record as a health spa town, and also a desirable location to live, particularly in retired life. Home rates are above the region average and also have seen similar increases in current times to other health facility towns in the UK.