Cleveleys to get weekly market

It has been earmarked for Cleveleys town centre and the first one is due to start trading at the end of August.

The market, to feature a wide variety of stalls, will operate on Wednesdays to ensure it does not clash with the long-established Fleetwood Market.

Wyre Council runs the port market and is keen to avoid any kind of conflict with that amenity, which operates from Adelaide Street on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Meetings have already taken place between Wyre and Lancashire County Council, which oversees public footpaths, to discuss the market, which will open in Victoria Road West.

Consultations have also been held with town centre traders, who are broadly in favour of the initiative.

Coun Michael Vincent, Wyre’s planning and economic boss, said: “The idea for it to operate on Wednesdays is that it would not clash with Fleetwood; firstly because we do not want to harm an already existing asset, and secondly because some of the market traders may wish to be involved in both.

“The idea of it being a weekly occurrence has been looked at, but initially it will be on a trial basis and it will then depend on whether the market is popular.”

Prominent trader Martin Hunns (inset), who runs the long-established Carousel Licensed Diner, in Kings Road, Cleveleys, said: “Most shops are in favour because it will bring extra trade in, but some are concerned that the stallholders will start selling what they’re selling.

“Until it happens we won’t know how it will work out, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Wyre has several existing markets, overseen by the borough council, which are well established and proving successful.

The markets are timed to avoid clashes with similar amenities nearby.

Historic market town Poulton has a thriving outdoor street market, held every Monday except on bank holidays.

Garstang Market, which dates back to the 1300s, opens on Thursdays but is 17 miles from Fleetwood, which opens on the same day.

And Great Eccleston Market is already held on Wednesdays but is eight miles from Cleveleys, where the new market is planned.