CALLS are being made to keep Worcester's markets spread out across the city - with one councillor claiming it could boost their trade.

Councillor Simon Cronin, a Labour veteran who has spent months reviewing the city centre, says spots like Worcester High Street are really benefitting from having stalls.

This week Worcester City Council decided to scatter around 20 market units across various streets for a temporary 13-week period while Angel Place gets a £555,000 revamp.

While some stallholders have landed plum spots like central High Street zones, others have been handed locations with less footfall like Pump Street, Church Street or Bank Street.

Cllr Cronin says he's been talking to the traders, several of whom say they are looking forward to seeing what difference it makes to trade.

"I've been looking around the city and it looks absolutely fantastic, the market traders I spoke to all had smiles on their faces," he said.

"The High Street in particular is much more vibrant with these stalls there, as is the whole city centre.

"I hope we don't go down the route of thinking we absolutely have to send them all back to Angel Place, because we don't.

"We've got a chance to look at this alternative and see if it works."

The idea of keeping them spread out appears unlikely, as the city council is tendering for a new market operator on the basis they are located at the new-look Angel Place from December.

The markets faced being homeless until the emergency scattered placements were found for them last week.

Many traders have told your Worcester News they were relieved to have found new locations but were unsure how it would impact upon trade.

But some, like pot plants seller Glenys Patrick, says her spot outside TK Maxx in the High Street is a good outcome.

"We've got a good location so we're pleased with it," she said.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, city council leader, said: "When we go through the tendering exercise operators will be able to put forward their ideas.

"It was always going to be difficult and lead to disruption, but I think what we've got now is a pragmatic solution.

"We want to really lift the quality to what is a key gateway into the city, that's the focus on these improvements which will make a real difference."