A TWO-year project to bring street markets back to Swindon has reached a pivotal point with traders now being invited to apply for stalls.

Swindon Council’s licensing committee approved a policy which sets out the type of stalls allowed to appear in the town, at a meeting on Thursday. This was the final major hurdle for the council following a 24-month project.

Traders can now be considered to have a stall at one of the markets planned for the town, including proposed weekly, themed and farmers’ markets.

inSwindon, the group which looks after the town centre, told the meeting it had already purchased quality chalets for the Christmas market and expected the stalls to be put in place around the same time as the festive lights switch-on.

Rebecca Rowlands, manager of inSwindon, said it was fantastic a policy had now been agreed.

She said: “We can now move forward and get something in place in preparation for September.

“We are going to keep it very local.

“Stall holders with something unique to offer, something local, should get in contact. We are going to have fantastic products and get to advertise the talent we have here in Swindon.”

The policy states markets are only allowed within consented streets which include the old Post Office site, Canal Walk, Havelock Square, outside the Town Hall, Wharf Green, Fleet Street and Bridge Street.

Amplified music on stalls is only permitted with prior consent from the council.

And generators will be banned unless absolutely necessary, which councillors expect will be the case for September when the first markets are likely to appear.

It is hoped the council will eventually provide electricity to replace the generators.

Hot food has to be sold as an ancillary to another main activity, apart from at Christmas and continental markets.

Coun Michael Dickinson, who chaired the meeting, said: “This may be a first step. We could have markets every day if they work.

“The Christmas market two years ago, let’s be honest, was not the ideal advertisement we wanted for the town. Let’s get a Christmas market that’s worth visiting.

“Street markets will benefit Swindon and the town centre, it will bring more footfall and is something we can be proud of and move forward with.

“I would like to thank a few people for the work they have done.

“The licensing subcommittee has been working month after month on this, they have carried out a lot of hard work.”

Coun Dickinson also thanked inSwindon, the licensing committee and council officers for their work.