NEW traders are being enticed back to Redditch Market as it prepares to return to its former location in Church Green.

National Market Traders Federation chairman for Redditch Chris Sutton told the Advertiser they were looking forward to the move, which is expected to take place at the end of next month.

"We are receiving interest from new traders all the time, wanting to join the market when it moves, including a man selling foreign foods like olives and a flower seller too. I think it will be very good for us all," said Mr Sutton.

"We have been told there will be between 45 and 55 stalls."

Redditch Council decided in April to move the market from behind Debenhams to outside the library after a three-year lull in trade in an attempt to lure shoppers back.

"We were hoping to move to the new site this month but the council is not finalising everything until it meets on June 28, so it looks like we will have to wait until the end of July or beginning of August," said Mr Sutton.

"But we are happy with that. We have waited three years to move back so a few more weeks won't hurt. I just hope the council gets it right this time."

He added: "I would like to thank the market superintendents, Lawrence Ward and Nick Watkins, who, without their help, the move would not be possible."

But it still has not been made clear what will happen to the space now being used by the market once it becomes vacant but council spokesman Jim Predergrast said this would be decided on June 28.

Kingfisher Centre manager Ian McLelland said that as the council-owned land was at the foot of a direct access point to the precinct, he would be "very interested" to know the decision.