A MARKET re-launched by popular demand in the town centre has lost its early appeal with fewer and fewer customers each week browsing its stalls.

Despite initial excitement and a steady flow of shoppers to Havelock Square Farmers’ Market after its inauguration in October, stallholders have noticed a dramatic drop in trade since the first couple of weeks.

If Swindonians fail to use it, the valuable community asset could fold, manager Kardien Gerbrands has warned.

“There was a great celebration about the market returning to the square but it seems that people have forgotten that a market can only be successful if people actually shop there,” he said.

“Stallholders for the last two or three weeks have been saying that it’s been quiet. My worry is that a number of stallholders will drop out. We only have 14 stallholders at the moment.”

He added: “It’s early days for the market and we will have a difficult period ahead in January and February, which is always difficult for markets.

“If we are going to make it work people need to use it.”

The market, which started on October 3, runs every Thursday and offers a variety of local products from Hobbs House and La Parisienne’s fresh breads to seasonal vegetables, free range meats, farmhouse cheeses and preserves. It also boasts a variety of handcrafted gifts.

In October last year, Swindon Council enforced its ban on street trading in the area, forcing InSwindon to cancel the market it had set up just six weeks previously. The town centre management firm had created it in a bid to increase footfall for existing businesses.

“It’s a really nice venue and we could really have a nice market there but we need enough customers to buy enough produce to attract new stallholders as well,” said Kardien.

“We are not saying we want people to do all their shopping there but if they are in town they can pop along. We’ve got people doing decorative wreaths and selling mince pies and Christmas food during December.”

The market is being run by Fresh ‘N’ Local and takes place between 9am and 2.30pm every Thursday.