AN artisan market which has helped to put Braintree “back on the map” will make its eagerly anticipated return next weekend. (March 30)

Braintree High Street will be filled with an array of food, craft, clothing and gift stalls on Saturday when the first street market of the year takes place.

The event will be staged on the last Saturday of each month from now on after following what council bosses say was a “successful” trial run last year.

More than 50 traders are expected to be in attendance at Saturday’s street market making it the biggest line-up yet.

Braintree Council’s economic development boss Tom Cunningham said: “The Braintree street markets are a fantastic day out and a vibrant destination for shopping, eating out, socialising, entertainment and business.

“Since we introduced the iconic street markets last year, we’ve seen them have a very positive impact on the town, with more people visiting and staying longer, increased footfall for local businesses, as well as on the overall atmosphere – all helping to get Braintree back on the map.”

A variety of food stalls will once again be available and offering dogs and burgers, homemade pizza, Mexican food, Chinese cuisine and Spanish paella.

There will also be ten home and garden stalls, as well as a further 16 traders selling gifts.

Chair of the Braintree Town Partnership, Rob Ely, said: “This is fantastic news coming out from the council, which will significantly help existing businesses and support start-ups, demonstrating even more that it’s a great time to invest in the town."

The street market was trialled on a number of occasions last year to help boost trade and footfall.

The event runs alongside the typical Saturday market in the town centre and Braintree Council says it helped to bring hundreds of new shoppers to the town.

Council bosses say the street market will continue to run throughout the year and plans are also in place to run extra events during the Christmas period.