SHOPPERS are returning to markets for the experience as much as the goods, according to one of the biggest operators in the region.

Canvey Market is set to return twice a week, including Saturday’s to the Knightswick Centre.

It is hoped this will bring a renaissance to the high street.

Charfleets Market Operators, who take their name from the phenomenally successful Canvey market in the late Eighties and early Nineties, operate Rayleigh Lanes Indoor Market, Pitsea Market, and one of the country’s largest markets, Dagenham Sunday Market.

Director Kevin Kelly said: “One thing we have noticed over the past few years is how many people now visit markets for the social aspect of the shopping experience.

“Whether its online or self-scanning in a supermarket, a lot of the face-to-face aspects of shopping have been lost.

“Customers can develop really strong ties with traders at a market, and that can only strengthen the atmosphere of a town centre.”

Alongside a new Canvey market, plans have also been submitted for a Hadleigh venture to open. Basildon market is also undergoing a major overhaul, and Wickford market has seen a recent expansion with the addition of new stalls earlier this year.

The benefits of having a market in the town centre are clear, with increased footfall drawing passer-bys into surrounding shops and customers having access to trusted traders and their products.

Councillor Cheryl Roe, chairman of Rayleigh Town Council’s environmental committee, said: “The market is a great success and helps to keep Rayleigh town centre vibrant.

“Wednesdays are the busiest day of the week for our town and all other businesses in the town benefit from the additional visitors it brings in every week.”

Cake maker Caroline Keys, from Canvey, runs Cakeys both online through Facebook and at a new stall at Rayleigh market, which she has run for the past two months.

She said: “I’ll never be rich running a market stall, but it’s something I am passionate about, and I love meeting my customers and having the chance to speak face-to-face.

“Even if I have a day where I don’t make many sales, I still get lots of people coming up to me and asking about my business, conversations which can then turn into orders.

“The social aspect is just lovely - you meet people who might not have the chance to speak to someone very often so even if you don’t make a sale you can make a difference.

"The market is a really wonderful community, everybody looks out for each other.

Canvey Councillor Jan Payne, who runs online business Canvey Sweets and has previously held confectionary stalls across South Essex markets, welcomed the plans to reintroduce a market to Canvey.

She said: “I think it’s really important that we allow thriving markets to get going in our town centres.

"They can bring so many benefits, as long as they are well managed and the trader’s views are heard.

“Markets are in my blood, and it’s vital that we preserve that way of trading.

"Some of the happiest moments of my life have been behind my stall.”