PLANS are being drawn up to expand Waltham Abbey's twice-weekly market so it can become "bigger and better".

Alan Ashton, who runs the market for the town council, feels the loyalty of customers should be rewarded and the best way to do that is to add more variety and make the market one of the best in the country.

It is hoped to extend the market -- in Market Square -- down into Church Street.

Despite a decline in the last year which saw a shortfall in expected income and the town council's decision to advertise for more traders, Mr Ashton feels the market has a future.

He said: "There was a decline last year and the weather recently hasn't helped. When it's raining people just don't come out to shop at markets.

"There has been a general decline in markets everywhere, but I'm quite confident that in two or three years time we will be looking at a very strong market for Waltham Abbey."

Mr Ashton was speaking after carrying out the latest market promotion -- the Cash for Questions initiative where a customer wins £50 if they correctly answer a question about the town.

The venture was repeated after it proved a success earlier in the year.

Mr Ashton said: "It's a way of bringing more custom to the market and also a bit of fun, it's gone down really well."

He feels that after the recent decline, the market has now establised itself and that traders want to visit it on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

He said: "I could fill the market up twice over tomorrow if I wanted, I've been turning away traders, simply because I don't think they were right.

"I want to be able to offer customers a variety of stalls, not all the same thing. It means a slower process of filling the market up, but it will be worth it."

He wants a big feature made of traditional fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, and is also on the lookout for stalls which he thinks are different.

He feels that with the ambitious plans to create a gunpowder museum on the former Royal Gunpowder Mill site, the market will play a major role in attracting visitors to the town.

First and foremost, he wants to see the market improved for the town's residents who have been regular customers.

He said: "There are many residents, especially the elderly, who rely on the market.

"I'm confident that this market will buck the trend of decline and we will be able to offer a good strong market for everyone."

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