TRADERS in Bromsgrove are backing a plan to stage a pre-Christmas market in High Street on December 18.

The new venture is the idea of the district council's economic development officer Peter Michael.

He said traders are at present being canvassed by letter for their views and so far their response has been very favourable.

The Christmas event should offer market traders a good sales opportunity at what is the height of the festive season, he believes.

"There are several reasons why I think it will be successful. It will not conflict with the Saturday market and will help bring in more customers during pre-Christmas Sunday opening," he said.

Mr Michael went on to say that he hopes to arrange carol singers and other seasonal activities on the day.

The market will also give council officers an opportunity to assess the potential for future events in High Street. However, some regular market traders are concerned at a sentence in the letter which refers to the council's long term plan to run a Saturday market in High Street on the fourth Saturday of each month after the Market Hall site has been redeveloped.

They maintain it is the clearest indication yet that the council is proposing to scrap the indoor market.

But Mr Michael stressed that there are no firm plans yet for the market's future.

In a survey published by the Times newspaper on Saturday, Bromsgrove's monthly farmers' market in High Street is rated in the top ten out of 400 nationwide.

pete.lammas@midlands.

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