IT has been a month or so since Colchester Market moved from the High Street to Lion Walk shopping centre.

Like a pawn on a chess board, it is the fifth time the market has moved in recent history.

It could be said even after all this time the market still needs a place it can call home - is it possible Lion Walk has solved that problem?

Looking at the numbers it seems traders are prospering since the move.

It was first announced in October the Saturday market would move from the High Street to the popular shopping centre in a bid to attract more customers.

The future of the market had been in the balance as this year saw the number of stall holders taking up pitches fall to a record low.

Within a matter of weeks after the announcement traders had pitched up at Lion Walk for the first time.

New gazebos, new traders and upgraded seating were all included in the move.

A dozen traders in the area around Culver Street East noticed a soar in profits.

Celia Cole, from the Polka Dot Cake Company, said she took a month’s takings in one day.

She usually takes £70 but on the first Saturday she took £350.

This month it was revealed prices for market pitches are also set to be reduced in a bid to halt a decline in trader numbers.

The cost will be reduced from £29.10 to £25 on both Friday and Saturdays.

Martin Leatherdale, centre manager at Lion Walk, said the market has been a huge success.

He said: “We have seen double digit footfall growth at Lion Walk on the market days, footfall was up by 11 per cent on the first Saturday.

“Market takings for traders have also quadrupled.

“I’m blown away as Lion Walk footfall growth for October was 1.2 per cent, on it’s own it doesn’t sound like a lot but when you compare it to UK high street footfall which is down by five per cent it’s a phenomenal number.”

An overall experience rating for traders was given for both the High Street and Lion Walk sites.

For the Saturday market in the High Street, the average overall experience rating was 2.67 out of 5.

For the Saturday market in Lion Walk it was 4.33 out of 5.

The figures say a lot but Martin said the proof of the success is evident from feedback from traders.

He added: “The participation is growing and we have fully installed electrics now which helps with the infrastructure.

“The traders being able to use their own gazebos has helped as well.

“There is a real sense of pride amongst the traders to want to look their best and be their best and that is reflected in their sales.”

Although the logistics are dealt with by Lion Walk, the market is still managed by Colchester Council.

The council has remained clear the Friday market will remain in the High Street for the foreseeable future.

When asked if it was realistic to suggest the Friday market would move to Lion Walk in due course, Martin said it was a possibility but they are not quite over the finish line yet.

Council leader Mark Cory said there was strong support for trialling extra weekday trading and a Wednesday market has now been introduced at the shopping centre.

He said the additional day will help the market to thrive and enhance the Christmas shopping experience.

A spokesman for Colchester Council added: “The partnership with Lion Walk is proving a real success and benefit to the town centre.

“Preliminary figures show traders regularly attending the Lion Walk trial have enjoyed up to a threefold increase in takings and are engaging with many more customers.

“The numbers of traders attending the Saturday market has doubled since the start of the trial. Several traders continue to trade from the High Street on Saturdays but are open to relocating if the trial is made permanent.

“Work is ongoing to extend the market area at the trial site from 13 to 26 pitches, and we will be collecting further data to inform any decision moving forward.”

Colchester market’s roots go back to Roman times when the High Street was the central street. Now the new market is making history of its own.

It had been in the high street on a Friday and Saturday for three years after being relocated controversially from Culver Street West.