TRADERS in Colwyn Bay can start the New Year confidently knowing the future of the town’s market is secure.

Colwyn Bay Market has been granted planning permission for a further three years on Station Road around to Sea View Road.

The market operates on a Tuesday and Saturday, all year round.

It has permission to be run seven days a week all year round depending on the management’s future plan.

Conwy County Borough Council is seeking a commercial operator who they hope will provide 'innovative ways' to grow and develop general markets alongside street trading activities and events..

Cllr Abdul Khan, of Glyn ward, said: "I'd like to stress that its future is not just three years, but beyond - for the foreseeable future.

"At the moment it runs two days but it can run seven days. It is down to the operator and how much they want to put in it to it. The more they do, the more they can get out of it. It is a lifeline for the community.

"In past, research showed that during the market days there are more footfalls in Colwyn town centre, which also benefits the local shops and the Bay View shopping centre.

"It will be really good to have tenders from commercial traders who has the right vision to take the present market to the next level and hopefully invite the farmers market, local produce such as honeys, cake, bread etc to give local new entrepreneurs the opportunity to prompt their businesses.

"The Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Bay Market has a brighter future ahead, as long as we all believe in our own town and start supporting our shops by shopping locally."

Cllr Chris Hughes, also of Glyn ward, was involved in the discussions to extend the market for another three years.

“I think the market has great potential but it needs to be developed and managed appropriately,” he said.

“Recently some new markets have been set up in Bangor and elsewhere and they are doing very well.

“I think we have a real opportunity to develop the market which hasn’t been taken advantage of in recent years

“I am hopeful the council will bring in some private contractors to run the market.

“It has been my ambition to have the market grow and have food stalls and craft stalls and from time to time themed markets.

“There is no reason why we can’t have a weekly food market and a weekly craft market or even three or four different markets a week which would bring a new clientele into the town .

“Instead of having two busy days a week in the town, in the future we should be looking to having for or five busy days. I am very optimistic about the future and hope it will develop in 2020.

“We have to make sure we get the right people in to develop the markets to the benefit of Colwyn Bay as a whole. The purpose of having markets is to benefit the people and businesses which we have. We need to bring more and different types of stalls which will appeal to a wider range of people.

“We want the markets to be turbo boosted.”

Bethan Wynne-Jones, Conwy County Borough Council Property Investment Officer, said: “We recognise the importance of the variety of retail opportunities in Colwyn Bay and we’re keen to find the right partner to develop a distinctive market experience.

“The market has a long link to Colwyn Bay and is an integral part of the town centre that can complement the existing retailers.”

Interested applicants for the commercial operator opportunity should apply with a business proposal, evidencing that their skills, knowledge and experience.

For further information and on how to apply, contact Colin James-Davies on colin.james-davies@conwy.gov.uk or telephone 01492 574635.

Closing date for applications January 31 2020.