A MARKET in Malmesbury that could have closed for good earlier this year, is now looking forward to a much brighter future after receiving £8,000 worth of investment.

Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers Market now has bright new branded stalls and hopes to attract more traders and visitors thanks to support from Wiltshire Council, Malmesbury Town Council and the Malmesbury Town Team.

The fresh outlook is a far cry from just a few months ago when the market, held at the Market Cross, was close to being shut down, when former organisers Oxford Markets called time on it for ‘commercial reasons’.

But it was kept alive thanks to help from the town team who now hope it can go from strength to strength.

Gordon MacPherson from Malmesbury Town Team said: “The stalls are an extension of our Discover Malmesbury campaign, they make a fantastic addition to our increasingly popular market.”

The market, which is a dementia friendly zone, is now run by Lisa Gore and her partner Ashton Scott.

“I decided not to let the market go, I was determined to make it work,” said Lisa.

“I was very fortunate that I For Lisa and Ashton, the market is a labour of love and they arrive at 7am every Friday to set it up.

Ashton believes the market plays an important role for Malmesbury’s traders.

He said: “I have spoken with regular traders and they say it has been a fantastic tool in helping promote their businesses. They enjoy socialising with shoppers and the great atmosphere that this buzzing little town has to offer.”

Wiltshire Council member John Thomson, chairman of the Malmesbury Area Board who match funded £4,000 towards the stalls, was pleased to support the market.

He said: “The people who have been pushing this are working very hard to make it work. It wasn’t just for the market it was also for activity in the community which we thought was a very positive thing to support.

“The Market Cross is the perfect place to have it. That's what it’s all about, this is where the market used to be. The more numbers you get, the more sustainable the market is.”

The town council also stepped up to support the market.

Councillor Fran Vandelli said: “The market is really important to Malmesbury. Everybody is willing and wishing it to do well and wanting to support it.”

The market has a wide variety of stalls and regularly plays host to Yara’s Fudge, Severn Bakery and Heathrow Owl Rescue. It trades on Fridays from 9am-3pm.