A NEW market could be extended after it proved a success in Wickford, but would rely on Wickford High Street being closed to cars permanently every Saturday.

The market, which has been running since May, has been gaining popularity week-on-week, with stallholders reporting an increase in visitors.

Wickford High Street is closed to traffic every Saturday, as part of the six month trial to allow stalls to set up and residents to walk through the high street.

Bosses are now set to extend the trial, which runs until November, pending the results of a new consultation.

READ MORE:

Yvonne Child, 66, from the Wick, said: “The market is crucial for the town, especially where its boosting the visitor economy. I especially like the plant stalls, that’s what I go for.

“It’s always fairly busy when I head down there, it’s proving quite popular.”

A new consultation for Wickford town centre is set to be approved at a council meeting next week.

David Harrison, Independent councillor of the Wickford Park ward, said: “It has to stay, and become a permanent part of the high street.

“It is popular, but it has to suit everyone. The layout of it may need to change.

“We’ve been pushing for this for a long time, and we provided the finance for it. I hope the council can extend it, as it’s essential.”

Plans are still yet to be formally submitted for a Morrisons to replace the Co-op store off the high street.

The plans, which were supposed to be submitted in May, would involve demolishing the existing Co-op store. An indoor market could be built in the supermarket car park as part of the project.

A report, produced by Basildon Council’s director of growth, Tomasz Kozlowski, reads: “From May 2021, the Saturday road closure has been implemented and has been gaining popularity each week, with an increase in market traders and visitor footfall.

“The trial period expires in November 2021 and there is an opportunity for the trial to be extended. The information taken from this public consultation exercise will inform this decision and determine whether a permanent closure should be explored.”