A FLINTSHIRE town’s market is to be expanded and relaunched this week, to the delight of traders.

On March 12, Holywell Community Market will be open again – the largest market to be held in the town for over 30 years.

The market is being relaunched and will have more than 30 stalls including food and crafts and will be open from 9am to 3pm.

Following a recent consultation, the overwhelming consensus was to keep the market on the High Street at the heart of the town, meaning that the road will be closed on Thursdays.

Councillor Derek Butler, Flintshire Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Markets contribute to the economic and social vitality of towns and can bring more people into town to benefit the wider businesses and services.

“The council is pleased to support the great work that local stakeholders are putting into developing their market in Holywell.

“The council will sit down with everyone involved after this summer to review the market and its future operation and development.”

Lynda Carter, a member of the Holywell Community Market Group, said she was delighted at the news.

“Things dwindled and the market was down to two stalls, but the group has put a lot of work in getting in touch with people and Flintshire Council has been advertising it - now the interest is there.”

She added: “These days people want a shopping experience and high streets and markets, working together, can create that.

“This will be good for people who are socially isolated as well - it’s all about getting people together in the streets and having that friendly banter.

“That is something a big retail park doesn’t offer.

“We’ve also been talking to Flintshire Council about potentially getting a bus from the holiday parks to the market. We’re hoping to bring that in this year, it will be fantastic.”

She also said some difficulty had arisen from the recent de-pedestrianisation works in the town, adding: “The traders were moved to Tower Gardens, but we had a bit of a battle keeping people’s interest.

“Tower Gardens wasn’t really suitable for traders and it caused some confusion, but that’s behind us now and we’re looking ahead to the relaunch.”

Amanda Williams, who sells ladies’ fashion and baby clothes, said she is very excited for the big day.

She also praised the community spirit of Kassidy’s Tea Room, adding the business has: “gone out of their way to give free food and drinks to market traders during the winter months as the market has helped increase their trade on Thursdays.”

Holywell Central ward councillor Ted Palmer told the Leader he is encouraging people to turn out and support the relaunch of the market.

“It’s going to be a lot bigger than it was,” he said.

“If the consultation is anything to go by, people wanted the market relaunched and they wanted it to be where it is.

“The Welsh Government is trying to regenerate town and communities and part of that is a thriving market.

“Anything that helps to bring more people to the town has to be welcomed.”