COLCHESTER’S longeststanding market trader has given the town’s new High Street Market an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Mark Larner says takings on his pet supplies stall soared in its first two weeks on its new High Street pitch.

Mr Larner’s family runs Colchester Pet Stores in Short Wyre Street and have also traded from a market stall in the town for 44 years.

Mr Larner, 47, said: “All the market traders I spoke to wanted to go into the High Street and said it had been massively successful.

“We are hoping it will stay and will bring new people into the High Street.

“It was bustling and busy and the uniform look of the stands is great.”

Mr Larner said his takings has increased by about 25 per cent since moving to the controversial newmarket site.

He added: “What really pleased me was the fact it was the first week.

“Most of my regular customers didn’t know we were there. Most traders said their takings were up, too.”

Mr Larner's grandfather, Albert, started running a stall back in the days when the market was in Culver Square and traded there for about 15 years.

The market then moved to Vineyard Street, something Mr Larner said had been “a real low point” for traders, who had lost a lot of business, with many giving up their stalls.

The market then moved to Culver Street West, where it stayed until until the recent move into the High Street.

Mr Larner thanks Emma Powell, the market’s manager, saying she had really helped traders make the move a success.

Six traders are still resisting the move from Culver Street West to the new High Street market, because they don’t want to pay the rent increase which goes with it.

Talks are are still in hand with the council and in the meantime the traders have been told they can stay in Culver Street West until September.

A 7,500-signature petition backing the traders who want to stay put was recently handed to Colchester Council.