A TOWN centre market will trial an extra day of trade after it moved to a shopping centre.

Colchester Market will begin a trial of holding an additional day on Wednesdays at Lion Walk shopping centre.

The Wednesday market will operate from 10am to 8pm initially until December 18, to coincide with Christmas late night opening.

The decision to trial an additional market day on Wednesdays is part of a number of changes which have been agreed to enhance the market.

Earlier this month the market moved to Lion Walk for Saturdays and it has proved popular.

Stall holders can now use their own stalls and pitch prices have been reduced to £25.

Friday’s market will continue to operate in Colchester High Street as usual.

Lion Walk’s Christmas light switch-on event takes place between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday.

The event will include a range of activities and entertainment for all ages, including a visit from Father Christmas, an Elsa, Olaf and Anna production of Frozen and fireworks.

Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Council, said: “During our consultation with the market traders about ways to enhance the market, there was strong support for trialling extra weekday trading.

“It’s great we have been able to work with Lion Walk to

implement a trial of a Wednesday market so quickly and

especially in the run up to Christmas.

“Holding an additional market day will help the market to thrive and enhance the traders and shoppers Christmas shopping experience in Colchester.”

Martin Leatherdale, Lion Walk shopping centre manager, said there was positive year-on-year footfall in October.

He said: “It’s great to see the collaboration with Colchester Council continue to go from strength to strength.

“Even more great news for us is that we now support the town and our community to deliver a brand new market on a Wednesday.

“This launch is extra special because it coincides with the first late night shopping as well as Lion Walk’s Christmas market launch, light switch-on and fireworks display.”

The South Lanes project, which covers shopping areas around Eld Lane and Trinity Street,

is joining forces with Lion

Walk to hold another Christmas event.

The South Lanes Christmas market will be held from 11am until 3pm on December 1.

The market will connect the much-loved Christmas market in Trinity Street with Eld Lane.

There will be stalls, music and a covered market in the small square opposite River Island.

Neil Gibb, who spearheaded the South Lanes project, said it was great to see so much collaboration.

Visit colchester.gov.uk/markets.