A VARIETY of different markets could be coming to Grays town centre as many as four times a week.

Thurrock Council is planning to make the market bigger and better by offering markets on as many as 210 days of the year.

The market, which currently runs on Fridays and Saturdays, will remain in the High Street and Church Road.

The council will apply to be able to run the market for seven days a week although the general market would still only run for two days of the week.

The Darnley Road car park used on weekends would be available for weekday markets.

The other days would see specialist markets trading in the town – including farmer’s markets, craft markets, flea markets and specialist food markets.

Thurrock Council’s planning report said: “The proposal would make a positive contribution towards attracting people into the town centre and thereby enhancing the future viability of the town centre.

"The application also provides an opportunity to enhance the appearance of the market.”

As part of the plan, new businesses and local community groups will get the chance to set up a stall in the market.

The market would be on a flexible timetable and could be used during the busy holiday seasons – particularly Christmas. Trading hours would be between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

The plans are in line with the council’s bid to regenerate the town and the proposal has been well supported, with 73 per cent of more than 1,000 voters saying they would visit farmer’s markets.

Other shops in High Street say their trading figures are up on market days, with increased footfall in the town cited as a main reason for the proposal.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Thurrock MP, said: “I am all in favour of street events to increase the footfall into Grays but let’s have a bit more imagination.

“I would like to see street fairs. Why not get the show people from Buckles Lane to run funfairs during school holidays?

“Grays needs to offer an alternative to Lakeside.

“I would go so much further and tackle the existing Friday and Saturday market too.

“It makes Grays scruffy and unattractive. The council is failing to deliver any leadership to improve Grays.”