MALVERN'S dwindling market could be moved as part of a rescue package to attract more traders and secure its future.

Since being moved to the Council House car park when its original site was taken to build Waitrose, the number of traders at the Friday market has fallen by as much as 90 per cent, according to district councillor Roger Hall-Jones.

"What we've got is just fading away," he said.

"We used to have four rows of stalls going the whole length of the other site.

"I should think there were between 60 and 80 stalls and it was a thriving market. Now we're down to about eight stalls."

Coun Hall-Jones voiced his concerns to fellow Malvern Hills district councillors last week, when he called on council leader Reg Farmer to reassure local people the council was committed to enabling market trading to continue in Malvern.

Coun Farmer revealed a package of measures was being considered by officers, including moving the market to a different site where it would have chance to expand.

"Officers are investigating possible alternative sites for the Friday market. Any alternative site would need to be large enough for the current market plus space for expansion, have car parking and be an area that is put to little use at present," he said.

The council retains the right to hold a market on the Waitrose car park on either a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, but Coun Farmer said the effect of this option on the Friday market would have to be considered, or the Friday market would have to close.

"It isn't clear how attractive a new market on the Waitrose site would be to traders," he added.

"These would be different traders to those on the Friday market as they have other markets to attend on other days."

The council's market review is also looking at the Saturday farmers' markets in Malvern and hoping to attract more shoppers and farmers to the market.

"I'll ensure a report comes back to the executive board as soon as possible but realistically this isn't likely to be for several months," added Coun Farmer.