TRADERS are celebrating after the first phase of the new Wickford Market opened for business.

Work on the specially created Market Avenue, which runs alongside the 99p shop, has finished, and the three permanent kiosks were unveiled for the first time on Saturday.

The florist and gift shop, Vicky’s Cafe and Jac in a Box hairdresser, formerly Graffiti Barbers, are thriving after bagging the sought-after spaces.

Trevor Day, who runs the market, is confident the new location will be a big hit after a difficult, declining few years.

He said: “Even though it was raining on Saturday things seem to be going well so far, so we’re really pleased.

“The council has spent some serious money and it shows because the kiosks look fantastic.

“The new market is looking very professional, it’s certainly a big improvement.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t all move en mass, but we’re just waiting for finishing touches before we can all follow. It should be any day now.

“We will have to wait until then to see just howmuch better business is, but I’m feeling really positive.”

Contractors are finishing repaving the High Street to make way for 17 gazebos, with a further 11 set to go down Market Avenue, alongside the kiosks.

The long-awaited revamp is more than two months behind schedule.

Traders were expected to move 400 yards from the indoor market building, in Market Avenue, in July and August, but work did not start until the end of June.

Michael Mowe, Tory councillor for Wickford North, said: “The kiosks look really good, I would have preferred more of them and less of the gazebos. It reminds me of something you would see in European cities.

“It has really smartened the town up, and hopefully the market will really take off. Business certainly looked good when I popped down there.”

An official opening ceremony will take place once all traders are settled in.

The £700,000 refurbishment of the High Street is part of a £3.2million package of improvements for the town.

A two-storey health centre will be built on the old market site, replacing the London Road GP Surgery.

Basildon Council has also been revamping the swimming pool, with a new reception area, changing rooms, viewing facilities and state-of-the-art dance and fitness studio.

Extra cash has been set aside to spruce up shopfronts.