ALTONÕS Tuesday market has been given the green light to move to the High Street.

Alton Initiatives Management representative Stewart Glasgow has confirmed that highway problems have been overcome and the market will move from the Market Square on Tuesday, October 15, with a grand opening envisaged on October 29 to coincide with the school half-term.

To be relocated on a six-month trial basis, East Hampshire District Council has agreed to issue temporary road closure notices for the stretch of High Street between Somerfield and Turk Street on a week-by-week basis to allow time for Hampshire County Council to put an Experimental Prohibition of Driving Order in place.

AIM manager Gail Grant is relieved that the move has been approved in time for the Christmas rush. ÒIt should boost the seasonal takings in the run-up to Christmas for existing High Street retailers and enhance the shopping experience for the whole town,Ó she said.

The move, she believes, has to take place for two reasons. Firstly, the existing market is dying on its feet and needs a boost if Alton is to maintain its tradition as a market town, and secondly Mrs Grant is convinced it will increase footfall for existing Alton retailers.

ÒThe town centre is already showing signs of weakness and of increasing competition from outside, plus there is a big retail centre opening in the locality within the not too distant future,Ó she warned.

The High Street market, which will be run by Southern Market Traders (SMT) on behalf of AIM, is expected to field around 40 stalls.

According to SMT manager Paul Lewis, existing Tuesday market traders will be given first choice when it comes to pitch location, with other quality stall holders coming in to swell the ranks. There will be no duplication of products but Altonians can expect to see the addition of a wide range of new stalls selling everything from china collectables to fancy goods, cheese, plants and cut flowers, menÕs wear and household goods.

The stretch of High Street in question will be closed from 6 am to 6 pm each Tuesday to allow for setting up and clearing away, with stalls open for business between 8-30 am and 3-30 pm. For the trial period trader vehicles will be housed in Lady Place car park.

The townÕs taxi rank will be relocated for the day in the car park behind WoolworthÕs where it is hoped Shopmobility will have a presence, and Stagecoach has agreed to re-route its buses on a Tuesday with a temporary stop on DraymanÕs Way by Somerfield for passengers travelling into Alton from the Basingstoke direction.

Those coming from the Kingsley direction will be able to disembark in the WoolworthÕs car park.

From experience already gained by managing markets in Christchurch, Havant, Eastleigh, and Southampton - all of which have benefited from recent moves into more central High Street locations, Mr Lewis is convinced that the relocation will breathe new life into AltonÕs market.

ÒThe Christchurch market used to be in the car park where it struggled to attract 20 stalls. Now it has 101 stalls with a waiting list of 200,Ó he said.

Mr Lewis believes that success lies not just in location but in co-operation. ÒIt is about everybody working together - if there are problems they have to be sorted out on a daily basis, they must not be allowed to drag on. We are here to work with the shop keepers, not against them and, if at the end of the day they donÕt like us being here, then we will get out.Ó

The market manager, who will be on site each Tuesday, is keen to talk to anyone with a problem, be they shop keepers, business people or residents.

But, while he is realistic enough to know that there will be some hiccups, he believes Alton is an ideal place for an English market and wants the long-held tradition to continue.

ÒThis is a nice area, with nice people and that is why I think AltonÕs market will work,Ó he said.

Paul Lewis may be contacted on 07971 646483.

r Permission has also been granted to stage AltonÕs next Continental market in the High Street. Scheduled for Thursday, December 19, an enlarged Continental market will be open from 9 am to 7 pm for late-night Christmas shopping.