A WORCESTERSHIRE charter market is “struggling” in its first few months under new operators who say they don’t expect trade to pick up again until next Spring.

Dennis Stanley, of EG Skett and Co, which took over the running of the market in Evesham from the town council in September, has presented a review of the first three months of business to Evesham Town Council.

Mr Stanley said that trying to launch a new market in the current financial climate was “a big challenge”, but said that the company was in it for the long haul and was confident of making the market a success in time.

After telling councillors that he faced a difficult few weeks, he outlined plans to relaunch the market next Easter.

Mr Stanley said: “This is a long-term commitment and we are not surprised that we are struggling.

“It is difficult to attract traders to a brand new market but we feel we are up to the challenge.

“About 39 traders have been through the market since it started but most have not stuck.

“We have eight good traders who have stayed throughout and are starting to build up a regular clientele. We want these traders to form the backbone of the market.

“Most customers are not local residents and are in fact tourists, which surprised us.

“We don’t anticipate it getting any better in January and February, so we are just going to have to grin and bear it. We have to make ourselves more visible because at the moment it is just not grabbing people.”

Evesham town councillor Andrew Dyke said: “We will have a meeting in March to talk about ideas for the relaunch. Times are hard and we are on a learning curve.”

Coun Gerry O’Donnell said: “We have to keep positive and promote the market.”