SHOPPERS and visitors to Redditch are set to benefit from a bigger and better market after a new company has taken over the running of it.

Following a competitive tender, E G Skett & Co (Sketts) of Stratford upon Avon has been selected to manage and operate the town centre market for the next five years.

Sketts will initially operate a five day general retail market, starting on Monday, February 15.

Together with the Redditch Town Centre Partnership and the Redditch Council's town centre coordinator, the company has the opportunity to organise and operate additional speciality markets, which can either run alongside or separate from the existing market.

Sketts will continue to use the existing fixed stalls up until the beginning of April this year, following which they will supply brand new "pop up" stalls which will be put up and taken down each market day.

An official launch day is being planned to mark the moves.

Redditch Borough Council's executive committee member councillor Greg Chance, said: "The market is an important part of our town centre and we want to create an even bigger and better one, which offers more diverse events, to complement the work we already do.

"The introduction of new stalls will allow the existing space to be freed up for other activities, which together with a comprehensive programme of events and activities will benefit the whole of the town centre and be a great attraction for residents and visitors."

Russell Dean, from Sketts, said: "We are excited and proud to have won the Redditch Market tender and look forward to working with all the stall holders on the market. We have lots of exciting ideas planned and cannot wait to work with all the local stakeholders."

Chris Sutton, chairman of the Redditch Market branch of the National Federation of Market Traders said: "The committee and myself are looking forward to a new chapter in the life of our long established town centre market and to working with and alongside the new operators."