A COMPROMISE has been made over the future of Monmouth market, which had traditionally traded on the cobbles outside the Shire Hall, but was temporally relocated to the bottom of town during the building's renovation works.

 Following a consultation and evidence gathering exercise, a report to Monmouthshire County Council's Cabinet in July will recommend that the town's market is re-established at the Shire Hall on Saturdays for smaller stalls and that the more general market continues to operate from the car park at the bottom of town on Fridays and Saturdays.

The evidence gathering exercise received feedback from traders, businesses, local residents and visitors, which showed that a clear majority wanted the market to return to Shire Hall.

However a significant number of the people also suggested that the market should concentrate on smaller stalls selling local crafts and produce.

But feedback from the market traders themselves was different. Their own survey showed over 60 per cent of them wanting to stay where they were.

"There is no one perfect solution that meets all of the interests involved," said Kellie Beirne, Monmouthshire County Council's Regeneration and Culture officer. "Monmouthshire's markets are an integral part of the life and economic regeneration of our towns.

"We hope that the programme of events at the Shire Hall plus the market will contribute to creating vibrancy and increase footfall at the top end of town."

Moyna Wilkinson, the authority's deputy chief executive added: "The Shire Hall site is clearly the popular option for residents, traders at the top of town and others who responded, but not for the majority of the present market traders.

"Although a commitment was made in 2008 that the market would return to the Shire Hall, there are real practical problems in relocating the present market in its entirety back to the Shire Hall site.

"We want the market in Monmouth to be a success and grow, so we want to work with the traders and the town to develop a distinctive brand and customer base at the two proposed locations."

The council is now expecting to work with traders and local interests to develop and brand the market.  The decision on the market's future will be taken by Monmouthshire County Council's Cabinet on July 20.