A POPULAR market which was forced to move after opposition has been found a new home.

Wickford Market has relocated from the High Street to a secure location on Woodlands Road, following remedial works arranged by Basildon Council.

Wickford High Street had been closing every Saturday morning for the past year-and-a-half in a bid to boost and support the Wickford Market.

The market featured around 20 traders with a variety of stalls, which saw many shoppers descend upon the High Street.

However, the weekly closure of Wickford High Street has since come to its contractual end and, despite the council supporting a permanent High Street closure on Saturdays, objections by the bus companies have meant the temporary traffic order to allow it to take place cannot be made permanent.

Recognising the importance of the market to traders and residents in Wickford, the council identified a new location on Woodlands Road to allow the market to continue to operate. 

The site required some maintenance to make it more accessible for customers and traders.

Site clearance has been carried out by the council and ground works have been undertaken out to level and resurface the site.

Existing hoardings have been removed and new fencing has been installed to secure the site for the market. 

Wickford Market operated from the refreshed Woodlands Road site this weekend and will continue to operate there while a more permanent solution is identified. 

Craig Rimmer, councillor responsible for economic stimulus and tourism, welcomed the news.

He said: “We are absolutely committed to ensuring Wickford Market continues to operate.

“It is a huge part of the town’s history, and I am really grateful to Wickford residents and the market traders for their patience while works were being completed on the Woodlands Road site. 

“Teams have done a fantastic job clearing, resurfacing, and securing the site to make it accessible for traders and shoppers.

“I encourage everyone to visit the market in its new home this weekend.”

Wickford Market operates on Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm.