A FARMERS market is set to launch in Weymouth town centre from the end of April.

The market will run down St Thomas Street on the last Friday of every month.

It will be run by Dorset Farmers Market alongside Weymouth BID.

BID Manager Nigel Reed said: “The plan is for a year round market. We are just going to a few of the local shops around there to look at the logistics. Personally I think it is a good idea. It seems to tick all the boxes.”

There will be 24 stalls in total including three on New Bond Street.

Bays of stalls will be situated outside Specsavers, WH Smith, Boots and Iceland as well as at the end of New Bond Street outside the Natwest bank.

There will be around 15 local traders in total and the first market will be held on Friday, April 24.

Dorset Farmers Market promotes local produce with everything sold at the markets having to have been reared, caught or grown by the person selling it and most produce will have been sourced from within a 30 mile radius.

Jo Yeatman, secretary at Dorset Farmers Market said: “We hope it’s going to be a roaring success and will be there for the next ten years.”

The market is hoping to capitalise on the trade that other seasonal farmers markets miss out on.

Jo said: “Very often these first few months at the start of the year are often best for farmers markets with people making their winter stews, we hope we will be there for the long term.”

Part of the plans involves potentially selling local produce to shops down St Thomas Street.

Mr Reed said of talks with local shop owners: “We have had some good conversations with them. We’ve said to some people some of the shops could sell some products in their shops.”

Ms. Yeatman also wanted to reassure shop owners that the market can be good for everyone.

She said: “I went to give a short presentation to a BID meeting and they asked some really searching questions. I think there’ll be some initial concerns but when they see we want to bring visitors in to the town, that we want to help regenerate the town, it works both ways then doesn’t it?”

Stalls are provided by the Farmers Market to ensure the market is attractive and professional.

Dorset Farmers Markets already put on markets across the county including in Bridport and Dorchester.