Maldon district councillors are being urged to support a new farmers' market in the town.

Response from traders themselves has already been encouraging following a meeting last week.

Now members of the central planning committee which meets on Wednesday are being recommended by officers to approve change of use of part of the Swan Hotel car park and function room to hold the monthly farmers' market.

"We have got 10 to 12 traders interested with everything from honey, wine, vegetables, to meat," said Russell Dawes, council tourism development officer who is working on the project with applicant and market operator, Tony Collinson.

Maldon Town Council had previously objected to the application over concerns about the surface of the car park and lack of information about the number of stalls and car parking.

But in a report to district council members officers state that most traders will be inside the hall with a maximum of five stalls in the car park.

The car park would be left in a clean and tidy condition and traders' vehicles would be parked in Butt Lane car park.

It is intended that the farmers market would be initially held on the first Tuesday of the month starting from September 5.

The aim is to encourage local producers to sell their own goods direct to the consumer.

Chamber of trade chairman, Chris Tibballs, added the chamber welcomed the new market and said: "We welcome any new business coming into the town."

Businesses are reminded that the Chamber of Trade is holding its AGM at the Blue Boar on Monday, July 24 at 7pm.

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