A new weekly market selling local produce is set to open in Malmesbury just months after a similar market, established in the town for 12 years, was forced to close.

The venture will combine the fresh and organic produce with assorted locally made crafts and artisan products and will open every Friday in the town centre from 9am-3pm starting either later this month or early August.

The initial Malmesbury Artisan and Farmers Market will have ten stalls with the potential to grow to 15.

It will replace the Malmesbury Farmer’s Market which ground to a halt around two months ago after it had become “a victim of its own success” with other shops in town stocking local produce.

The new market follows a link-up between the Malmesbury Town Team, formed to protect and improve the vitality of the town centre, and Oxford Markets.

Town Team spokesman Gordon MacPherson said that despite the shutters going down on the old market, feedback from a major survey last year strongly indicated that people in Malmesbury want their own market.

He said: “We are delighted to announce a new Artisan and Farmers Market in Malmesbury and are very keen to have as many local businesses involved as possible.”

Mr MacPherson went on: “Oxford Markets have a successful track record running local markets and provide valuable professional support to establish the licence and planning required. The on-going plan is for the market to be managed locally.”

He said the market would offer “an exciting array of produce and products at great prices, attracting more visitors to the town centre and encouraging them to visit town retailers.

“Public markets are not just places where commercial trading takes place, they help to grow and connect rural and urban economies. “Fridays were chosen following research and canvassing which concluded Saturdays represented a risk to weekend retail trade and Sundays had too little footfall.”

The Mayor of Malmesbury Councillor John Gundry said: "I fully support any initiative, such as this, to bring more people into our town centre and increase trade. And I’m sure I will myself be a regular customer.”

The previous market had been run in the town by Wiltshire Farmer’s Market Association on the second and fourth Saturday of the month.

They said it had little alternative but to call it a day after the number of traders had slumped from a height of around 15 to just two or three during early 2015.

Anyone interested in running a stall or finding out more should about the new market can contact Jack McLeod of Oxford Markets on 07413 662838 or email jackmcleod-djs@hotmail.co.uk asap.