A MARKET trader is to open his first bricks and mortar business in a vacant shop.

Darren Bugbee, of Chappel, sells mobility scooters and other aids on Braintree market every Wednesday.

He is set to open up in the former Trendy Togs shop in Weavers Court, Halstead, which shut in November 2014.

The 47-year-old said: “We have had approval now for the shop. We have just got to wait for the legalities to be completed.

“I think in four to eight weeks we will be in a position to open the doors and start trading.”

The trader has been a familiar sight on Braintree market for five years, but he said opening a shop would allow him to offer more products.

He said: “It’s my first bricks and mortar outfit.

"You are limited as to what you can do on the market.

“We are not going to give up the market and it will complement our business and widen our customer base.”

Mr Bugbee said his products would include stairlifts, bathroom and bedroom aids.

He said: “It will be like a one-stop mobility shop.

“People can click and collect, so they can order online from marketmobility.co.uk and pick it up from the shop.”

Mr Bugbee said he hoped Halstead people with mobility issues would benefit from his shop, where he also plans to offer finance and insurance.