A new monthly Sunday market starts in Marlborough on July 1 in the High Street central parking reservation, where the traditional Wednesday and Saturday markets take place.

Organised by Transition Marlborough, the group that aims to make the town a greener and better place in which to live, the Sunday Communities Market will take over from the former farmers’ markets held once a month on Saturdays in the town hall.

The farmers’ markets were run until July last year by members of Friends of the Earth who support the transition group in its work to make Marlborough more environmentally friendly.

Dr Sam Page from Transition Marlborough said it had the full backing of the town council to open the markets on the first Sunday of each month.

The reason for calling it a community market is because the new market will be run as a not-for-profit, social enterprise owned by the people of Marlborough and the surrounding villages.

It plans to retain a farmers’ market section and will be seeking accreditation through FARMA, the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association but shall also be championing Fairtrade produce, local business and encouraging small businesses through its Table for a Tenner scheme.

Dr Page said: “We’re really excited about the new market as there will be lots going on,” and added that after an official launch at the St John’s School science fair the Marlborough Communities Market was in the process of obtaining funding for market stalls.

The aims and objectives of Marlborough Communities Market will be centred around transition principles which encourage local trade to help build resilience for communities against the effects of peak oil prices and also encouraging people to take charge of their own local affairs.

Already a number of traders have signed up to the new market and there will be a former London Routemaster bus selling local produce and running a café on its upper deck.

As well as the traditional market stalls, Transition Marlborough said it would encourage live music, demonstrations, tastings and rural skills workshops as well as craftspeople and artists creating work on site.