Basildon Council to lead multi-million euro project

Basildon Council has been awarded a €600,000 share of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to enhance markets in the borough.

The project will open up opportunities for market traders to access tailor made business support, fund further promotion of Basildon markets and increase footfall back to town centres.

GoTrade, the project, aims to increase visitor footfall across a number of town centres throughout the partnership geography, by enhancing the visitor experience of traditional street markets, essentially reversing the online shopping trend by combining local offers in partners’ markets across France and the South of England into a unique brand of markets, targeted at both local residents and tourist visitors.

Linda Allport-Hodge, chairman of the Infrastructure, Growth and Development Committee at the council, said: "People love markets for so many reasons and this funding is great news for our market traders, residents and visitors to the borough. Markets contribute towards the economy and provide a sense of community for those that use them. This will help our markets be even more successful.

"The funding announcement is just the start, next comes the research to get an insight into markets across the partnership. This is a great achievement for our Economic Development team to not only secure this funding but to be leading on such an innovative project."