MARKETS in St Helens are set to broaden their appeal with a series of major improvements aimed at boosting visitor numbers.

St Mary’s Market will be at the heart of two new weekend events.

On Saturdays a new ‘Makers Market’ in the events area will feature a diverse range of homemade products.

Meanwhile, the previously unused outside area is being brought into service to link the market with the ever-popular Sunday morning car boot sale, which takes place over the road at Chalon Way. It will give ‘car booters’ the chance to sell their items from conventional market stalls in the open air.

Council leader Barrie Grunewald, who has pledged to boost the appeal of the town centre and other local centres, said: “We’ve been working with external suppliers to find ways of capitalising on our existing assets – and attracting new customers to our town centre markets.

“We aim to create a fresh, exciting feel that will, in turn, encourage new traders and a new generation of young entrepreneurs to use the markets as a launch pad for their products and services.”

One of those businesswomen already seeing an increase in trade is Natasha Shields, who runs the Tiny Toes Babywear and Gifts stall in St Mary’s Market.

She said: “I’m pleased to see the market moving forward – there’s definitely a more positive feeling now among traders and we’re looking forward to seeing the increased footfall the expansion will generate.”

St Helens Council is setting out its stall when it comes to promoting markets too.

A brand new market website (www.sthelens.gov.uk/markets) covers traders and their product ranges, pricing, history and location details.

Details are also available through an upgraded social media presence – www.facebook.com/ sthelensmarkets and www.twitter.com/sthelensmarkets.

The website includes the historic Earlestown Market and Chalon Way Car Boot Sale.

Details of forthcoming events are also highlighted, while prospective traders can enquire about stall details.

The new outside car boot market launches on Sunday, July 20, while the wraps come off the new indoor and outdoor Makers Market on Saturday, September 13.

Also coming soon is the Earlestown Market Family Fun Day on Friday, August 22.