Billericay High Street could be transformed into a bustling Sunday market, if plans being developed by its Town Council are realised.

Town Council representatives have already met with potential market organisers to discuss the scheme and have met with a positive response.

Town Council councillor Trevor Stansfield said: "The people we have been talking to have a lot of experience and detailed background knowledge about organising markets. They are convinced Billericay is a good place to run a High Street market."

The Town Council's vision is of a High Street lined with more than 100 stalls and closed to traffic from Sun Corner to Chapel Street. It is hoped the market would be open from 9am to 2pm, although the High Street would have to be closed for longer to allow traders to set up and pack away.

Cllr Stansfield said: "Following talks with three market operators we have applied to Basildon District Council to see whether we could close the High Street.

"We expect that sorting all this out will take some time as no one has ever made this kind of application.

"Once we have found out all the details and if we have the go ahead we will launch a full public consultation and will be talking to residents and town centre businesses."

A district council spokesman said: "We will be writing to the council in the near future. At the moment we are considering it as an interesting idea, but there are a number of problems the town council has to address.

"These include access to shops in the High Street and access for emergency vehicles."

The Town Council is hoping the market would complement businesses and draw people into the town. It would include a range of stalls including bric-a-brac, collectables, clothing and refreshments.

Three market operators have been approached as the Town Council develops its proposals, including one company which runs similar markets across the country. Two have already made visits to the town to review the site and speak to town councillors.

Following these consultations the council will take a decision on who it wants to operate any future market.

Although plans are on hold until after the upcoming Town Council elections, it is an option which the council is expected to continue to pursue and there are hopes it could be up and running by Spring 2001.

Cllr Stansfield said: "There are still a lot of issues to look at, including what to do about Sunday bus services, what residents close to the High Street feel and any other things which need to be cleared up. We also need to finalise the details, for example, the exact hours we would need to close the High Street."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.