A town trader has given his backing to proposals which could see Halstead market moved to a new location.

Townsford Mill owner John de Bruyne has put forward the idea of moving the market to an area of land right in front of Townsford Mill.

The relocation is just one element of Mr de Bruyne’s plans to revive the historic mill as he also has plans to convert Mill House into a six bedroom bed and breakfast, while opening a café in the Blacksmiths building.

The suggestion of moving the market from its current location at the top of High Street has been backed by Mitch Redman, whose fruit and veg business has been running on market days for seven years.

Mr Redman said: “It sounds like a really good idea.

“It needs to be put to everyone first but I like it.

“Obviously if the market did get moved it wouldn’t be as visible.

“But the mill is beautiful, there would be a car park round the corner and its flat land round there so its accessible for wheelchair users. It ticks all the boxes for me.”

Halstead market runs on both Friday and Saturday mornings each week.

Mr Redman made the decision to stop trading on Saturday mornings last October due to a decline in footfall.

He continues to run a stall on Fridays and is in the early stages of offering home deliveries.

Though he says the changes have improved business, he admits he still has concerns about running a stall on market days.

He added: “There are endless parking problems at the moment, there’s also the fumes and noise from all of the traffic which have become an issue.

“People tell me its a struggle to get up the hill these days.

“It’s a lot steeper than people realise.

“I suppose with Lidl coming to the town the emphasis does seem to have been placed on the bottom of the high street.

“I mentioned moving the market to my staff the other day and they all liked it as well. I think it would be popular.”

Haylock Investment and Management Services, which runs the market was contacted for comment.