A council chief hailed the new-look Watford Market as "special" at its re-launch on Friday.

Watford Borough Council Chairman Councillor George Derbyshire performed the ribbon-cutting duties to open the £2m two-storey market for business.

He said: "This is the end of a long journey but the start of a great new chapter in the history of our market. 

"The development and move to this new market hasn’t always been easy. Many of you spent decades at Charter Place and remember its successful years as a thriving shopping hub. 

"Acknowledging the fact that it was no longer working in that location and finding a solution which would suit everyone was always going to be a challenge. 

"We couldn’t go back and we couldn’t stand still; in order to move forward we had to move out."

Cllr Derbyshire praised Mayor Dorothy Thornhill’s "vision and courage" to back the market’s move from Charter Place to the corner of Beechen Grove and Exchange Road. 

He also hailed the attitude and dedication of market traders.

Cllr Derbyshire said: "A lot of you will have served generations of the same family and I hope they continue to bring their loyal custom to your new stalls. 

"The fact is, when you shop at a market it is as much for the trader as for their stock; your customers are buying your insight, your advice and your company as well as your produce. 

"That’s why markets are special; it’s why this market is special."

All 42 of the shipping container outlets, inspired by BOXPARK Market, will be up and running in time for the official launch by celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager on Friday, October 31.

The market - which is open 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday - also features a food-court area.
For more information visit www.newwatfordmarket.com