GLOUCESTER Green’s first Friday market will take place this week.

The city council has decided to trial the open-air market on a Friday for six months.

The council, in conjunction with LSD Promotions, already hosts markets in the square off George Street on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Oxford Mail:

The markets feature a combination of food stalls and stalls selling other items including clothes, books, records and antiques. All the food is prepared and cooked freshly on site.

READ AGAIN: Friday market trading for Gloucester Green but rough sleeper issue remains

Linda McGillicuddy, LSD Promotions’ Market Director, said: “The new market day has space to expand to 100 stalls where you can expect to find an urban mix of stalls.”

She added: "This is a developing style of market that is leading the way in changing the face of market shopping and trading in general.

“Markets, like all forms of retail, are evolving and developing to meet the demand of new shopping trends.

Oxford Mail:

To attract first-time traders to the industry we are working closely with associated groups to develop our trading offer and particularly to attract younger people who may not see markets as a viable option for them.

READ AGAIN: Homeless sleep in doorways of former Gloucester Green restaurants

"This involves providing an affordable marketplace, mentoring and support, and allocating stalls in the area for new start-ups to test their ideas and creations, and develop their skills.

“The urban mix style is a broad representation of all walks of life, cultures, diversity, services, crafts, and products common to any particular town or city.

"In Oxford we intend to make stalls available to a wide circle of groups, artisans, producers, artists, crafters, networkers and existing city based businesses looking to promote what they do.

"The new Friday market is an exciting opportunity to support these aims and raise the profile and appeal of markets to shoppers and traders of the future."

Oxford Mail:

Mary Clarkson, Oxford City Council executive board member for culture and city centre, said: “Oxford city centre, like many city centres across the country, is in a state of transition, but where demand currently exceeds supply is small units and market stalls. Traders, due to the rapidly changing nature of retail and the wider economy, are looking for flexibility.

READ AGAIN: Empty units at Gloucester Green will no longer be a home for rough sleepers

“The Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday markets in Gloucester Green have proved very successful, and we are currently turning away new traders from the Covered Market because we are full.

"I am delighted that LSD Promotions is responding to help meet this demand, and I hope the bustle that the new market will bring on Fridays can help revitalise the surrounding shops in Gloucester Green.”

Oxford Mail:

Concerns have been raised about rough sleepers taking shelter in the doorways of shops which have shut.

The city council and retail company NewRiver has confirmed that new tenants have been found to take on the former Combibos coffee shop and former El Mexicana restaurant.

The former Fopp music store, which closed earlier this year, remains boarded up.