STREET markets could be opening in Swindon as early as September if proposals get the green light from a licensing team this week.

Swindon Council’s licensing committee, on Thursday, is set to agree a strategy which will decide the type of stalls that should be given priority. Once a policy is settled, traders can start applying for licences.

Under the plans, stalls benefiting the local economy, connecting with businesses, selling local produce, offering a diverse range of products, employing residents and selling craft items, should be granted a licence.

Coun Emma Faramarzi (Con, Priory Vale), who has worked on the licence committee’s sub-group, said: “The policy will ensure all of the market stalls are not a higgledy piggledy mess.

“The policy will make sure there are different kinds of quality merchandise on offer and not just tat.”

She said traders have already expressed an interest, with a weekly market at Havelock Square expected to be one of the first.

“They are very, very eager to get going again,” said Coun Faramarzi, who is also the chairman of Swindon’s Federation for Small Businesses.

“Markets are renowned for bringing extra people and footfall to a town. They bring a little bit of vibrancy to a town centre. You tend to get the same stalls selling different produce each week.”

In July, Swindon Council lifted a ban on street markets following a public consultation that found the majority of residents were in favour of them. Out of the 186 respondents, 177 said they would like to see the markets return.

The locations which have been permitted to hold them are the old Post Office site, Canal Walk, Havelock Square, outside the Town Hall, Wharf Green, Fleet Street and Bridge Street.

Swindon plans to host an annual Christmas market in the town.

Stallholders hoping to appear at this festive event will have to show their goods under matching chalets, according to the proposed policy.

Last November, Swindon cancelled the 2012 Christmas market after the council voted to take enforcement action against another of its markets, in Havelock Square because of a street trading ban which covered most of the town.