A NEW market will be launched on Canvey Island.

Castle Point Council has announced a new market will be launched in Canvey town centre in the spring.

The new two day market is set to be paired with plans for a market in Hadleigh, also forming part of Hadleigh’s regeneration project.

The new market is set to be open on one day during the week and Saturdays next to the Knightswick Centre and library in the town centre.

Norman Smith, Tory leader of Castle Point Council said: “I am pleased that the market is now going ahead.

“It was very well received from traders and residents previously.

“Trade was good and customers loved it.

“We have got a vision for this area of the town centre and this includes working to get market in place and improving the Knightswick Shopping Centre after the council purchased it.”

Residents said they will be very happy to have the market back.

Barbara Knox, 44, of Long Road, Canvey said: “I think this is just what we need in our town centre.

“It will help to build more of a community spirit and help to keep people coming to the town centre.

“I hope that is as good as the old market was on the Charfleets Industrial Estate.

“It will be good to see a nice variety of stalls and traders selling a range of items.”

Ian Tilley, 33, of May Avenue, Canvey said: “I know it’s been on the cards for some time and it’s great news that this will now go ahead.

“I am pleased as it’ll be great to have a regular market back on the island.

“I know people have been asking about this for years now.

“I think it’s good and reassuring the council has been listening to us.

“The new market will help other traders and businesses as people who visit the market are then more likely to visit and buy from other nearby town centre firms.”

In the 1990s the market in Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey, was known across the county and hugely popular, but closed in the early 2000s.

Last year, the council announced it been successful in being awarded grant funding as part of an bid to develop new town centre markets. Called GoTrade, the project includes a consortium of 16 partners across the UK and France. The aims of the project are to explore how traditional markets can be used as a catalyst for job creation, skills development and growth. In the past there have been markets set up at the Knightswick Centre and on High Street, but residents have stated they failed to gain support from the council and ultimately struggled.