A FARMERS’ market could start up at the home of Colchester United.

Businessman Ian Chisholm, who runs similar markets in Southend and Brentwood, has held talks with U’s chiefs over opening one at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

He feared the deal was off after discussions halted – but U’s spokesman Matt Hudson said the club was still keen to get involved and had planning permission in place.

He added: “At the moment, no-one has been confirmed as our partner to run the farmers’ market.”

Mr Chisholm said he was so confident the plans would get the go-ahead, following earlier talks, that he forked out £1,300 on advertising.

He said: “In September it was left that someone would come back to me with a decision, but nobody ever did.”

En-form, which runs the town’s existing farmers’ market, stressed it had no intention of moving to the stadium from its current base at Colchester Arts Centre.

Andrew Wilkinson, from the environmental charity, said: “We have been running our market in the arts centre since 2003 and, as far as we are concerned, we are not going anywhere.

“We have been offered other places in the town during that time, but we have always consulted with our traders and customers and the answer has always been they want to stay.”