Watford Market will begin opening on Sundays with a series of speciality stall events over the summer.

Stalls will open from 10am to 3pm on one Sunday each month, with the first event themed around ‘new businesses, start-ups, young traders and local’ on May 22 as part of the ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign.

Later months will feature, vegan, antique, and continental themes, as well as a food and drink fair, and are due to continue until September.

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Watford’s Elected Mayor Peter Taylor said: “The market it is an important part of the town, and I am determined to see it do well.

“Sunday Markets are the start of another new exciting chapter for the market. I hope they provide a boost to both existing and new traders, as well as the surrounding shops and venues.”

Watford Market has previously been closed on Sundays.

Sunday markets follow the ‘Market Lates’ scheme as part of a wider plan to rejuvenate the historic town market.

Watford Observer:

With the success of similar Sunday markets elsewhere, the council hopes this will be the start of an exciting new chapter for Watford.

The ‘Love Your Local Market’ campaign is organised every year by the National Association of British Market Authorities. Chief Executive David Preston said: “Markets are still very much at the heart of our local communities and this year will be no exception as we join in the national celebrations.

“Far from being a thing of the past, modern markets are responding and innovating to meet local needs and consumer trends.”

This year’s campaign has been extended to include the Platinum Jubilee weekend. As part of the Jubilee, the focus this year will be on national celebration of local markets and businesses.

Watford Observer:

The historic Watford market is thought to have operated since as early as the 12th Century when a royal charter was granted to the Abbot of St Albans.

For more information, please visit www.watfordmarket.co.uk.