MONMOUTHSHIRE Council is recommending that Monmouth’s traditional marketmove back to its original home at the Shire Hall.

The authority was forced to rethink its plans over the market’s future after it was moved from Agincourt Square to the cattle market car park in 2008 to allow for major renovation work to be carried out on the Shire Hall.

In December the council declared that the car park, next to the medieval Monnow Bridge, was to become its permanent home because the amount of space available to traders on the cobbles had been reduced following the renovation.

The council held an evidencegathering exercise led by Mark Gardner, chief executive of Melin Homes, following opposition from local traders and residents, and recommended the market be re-established at the Shire Hall on Saturdays for smaller markets but the more general market continue to operate from the car park at the bottom of town on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mr Gardner said a clear majority wanted the market to return to the Shire Hall and that it should focus on local crafts and produce. A survey by traders showed that more than 60 per cent want to stay at the car park and 30 per cent want to return to the Shire Hall.

Moyna Wilkinson, the council’s deputy chief executive, said the Shire Hall is favoured by residents and traders at the top of town but not for the majority of the present market traders as there are practical problems in relocating the present market in its entirety back to the Shire Hall.

A decision is to be taken by the cabinet next month.