STREET markets will soon be returning to the town centre after the council approved certain areas for trading.

Following a public consultation the council has designated a number of locations in the town centre which are allowed to hold a market.

The locations which have been permitted to hold markets are the old Post Office site, Canal Walk, Havelock Square, outside the Town Hall, Wharf Green, Fleet Street and Bridge Street.

Talks are now underway to bring a weekly market and there is a possibility of a market at Christmas, although it is not yet known which form this will take.

Coun Emma Faramarzi (Con, Priory Vale), who has worked on the licence committee’s sub-group to look at the issue of markets, said: “The groundwork has now been laid to bring back markets, so we can now begin to make that happen.

“In theory now anyone can apply for a licence to hold a market in the designated places.

“I have spoken with a lot of traders who say they are ready to go so we now have to get something sorted as soon as possible.

“There will definitely be something at Christmas but I can’t say what until contracts are signed.”

Last November, InSwindon cancelled the 2012 Christmas market after the council voted to take enforcement action against another of its markets, in Havelock Square, due to a street trading ban which covered most of the town except for Wharf Green.

However, a public consultation by the council’s licensing committee in February found public opinion strongly for street markets, with 177 out of 186 respondents saying they were in favor of having them in the town.

There were a number of options available for people to choose from and the consultation showed a strong appetite in Swindon for a weekly market, themed markets and a Christmas market.

Coun Faramarzi said: “The most important thing is that we are able to bring in quality.

“A good street market can benefit the town enormously. It is good for shoppers and other businesses.

“We don’t want a cheap market which is selling tat, so we have to work hard to make sure we bring in something which is high in quality.”

Rebecca Rowlands, manager of inSwindon who look after the town centre, said of the council decision: “This is very exciting news and we are delighted. We can now start planning to have a successful weekly market in the town centre.”