HALSTEAD could do more to attract tourists to view all it has to offer, a town trader has claimed.

Mitch Redman, who runs Mitch’s Fruit and Veg at the town’s market, believes the town could be more of a tourist attraction with greater marketing.

Last year Chinese tourists flocked to the tiny Oxfordshire village of Kidlington, seemingly looking for a glimpse into the true sense of England.

Mitch is certain Halstead could take advantage of this phenomenon.

On the back of Halstead’s continued success in Anglia in Bloom, Mitch believes the town is a golden goose.

Mitch, who has lived in Halstead all his life and attended Ramsey School, said: “I saw what was happening in Kidlington, and it really struck a note with me.

“There is clearly a market for this kind of thing, and it is just about utilising it.

“Halstead in Bloom brings success to this town year after year, and it is truly amazing what they do, but couldn’t we take advantage of that even more?

“Working on Market Hill I have never seen groups of tourists being given tours of the town.

“It could be done, and I think the ability to do those tours is in place, the Anglia in Bloom judges are taken around the town, so why couldn’t we do something similar with tourists.”

Mitch believes that an influx of tourists has the potential to have a positive effect throughout the town.

He added: “It is a bit of a chicken and egg situation.

“It is all very well for people to want Waitrose or big chain names within the town, but we need something to offer them first.

“A boost in tourism would immediately increase footfall within the town.

“We have so many independent businesses and coffee shops which would all start taking more business, and it’s the independent shops and cafes that tourists love.

“We are very lucky to have the bloom team in the town, they are a huge asset to the town and we should take advantage.”