Stafford traders are in the market for revamp
[gallery] Traders in a Staffordshire town say plans to spend £200,000 on the town's indoor market will give it the boost it so desperately needs.
Stafford Borough Council announced last week that a cash injection could be heading the way of the market this summer.
Stallholders have welcomed the news, saying fresh investment will improve the market for businesses as well as shoppers.
Pat Crosby, who owns gift store The Crystal Box, said: "I think the big problem is that not enough people know we are here.
Regular
"If the money could be spent on advertising, then that would be a massive help. We just need more people coming through the doors, and if this money means we do that, then I'm all for it." The 50-year-old from Stafford added that the cash boost would also have a positive impact on Stafford town centre itself and bring in more visitors.
Kevin Busby, 35, who runs Kevin Busby Butchers, and lives in Upper Tean near Cheadle, has been at the market for the past nine years.
He said business was steady at the moment as he has a regular bank of customers but admitted it was hard for new stalls setting up to establish themselves. "I think one of the main problems is the number of stalls in here," he said.
"They seem to be disappearing all the time.
"It's hard for new businesses setting up in the market. They don't have a regular customer base, and many of them struggle."
New stallholder Gemma Hill, owner of The Crazy Gecko tattoo parlour, said it had been "up and down" since she set up her business in the market eight weeks ago.
"I'm really happy to hear the council is planning to spend some money," the 27-year-old from Penkridge said.
"We need more shoppers to come in and younger stallholders will also appeal to a younger market."
Shoppers Julie Rogers and Laura Hennery, both 15, said they used the market to buy beauty products. Julie said: "I come in hear to get my make-up, and I'm sure more young people will come if there were more stalls and it was a bit nicer."
The council wants to spend the money on revamping the market, putting up new signs, and changing the layout of the stalls.
Work on the market in Broad Street will start in the summer if the scheme is approved by Stafford Borough Council's cabinet in June.
