Town In The Market For Local Tasty Treat

A taste of the countryside is set to come to Keynsham for a newmarket.

The town is the latest in the West to get its own weekly marketthanks to funding from the local council.

Bath & North East Somerset Council will also be providing backingfor markets in Midsomer Norton and Bath.

The focus will be on local produce and local crafts, similar toBristol's farmers' market every Wednesday in Corn Street.

Managers Geraud Markets, who also arrange for French markets tocome over to the UK, say they will start out with quality produce andgradually increase the amount of local wares as they become availableLiberal Democrat executive councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, said: "Thesemarkets will help boost the economy in the three towns, attracting additional shoppers and traders.

"This is an exciting new project that demonstrates our commitmentto the shopping areas in our authority.

"Street markets have become increasingly popular over recent yearsand our towns have been crying out for such an initiative." Theintroduction of the markets has been budgeted for in this year'scouncil spending, with up to GBP25,000 set aside to support theinvestment by Geraud Markets.

The initiative was rushed through so that the markets could startwell in time for the Christmas shopping boom.

In the long run the authority says it could make up to GBP100,000a year from the scheme.

It hopes the markets will attract more shoppers, boosting theincome of all traders.

Keynsham town councillor Jeanne Pinkerton said: "The new marketwill give Keynsham the boost we need to attract local shoppers,especially leading up to Christmas.

"This is a welcomed initiative from Bath and North East SomersetCouncil and it has the backing of my colleagues on the Town Council."Geraud Markets UK manager Brian Newman is calling on traders reserveone of the 50 spaces available at Keynsham market, which will be heldin the town centre.

Anyone interested should contact him on 07979 043780.