CHEPSTOW town council will pay fees for traders to hold markets over the next year to boost footfall – if the proposals are accepted by Monmouthshire Council.

And at a meeting on Wednesday evening, town councillors voted to pay the £688 block trading consent which officially came into force as part of Monmouthshire Council’s new street trading policy on June 17.

Monmouthshire Council have given Chepstow Council more time to adhere to the regulations because they recognise they are evaluating their markets, the town council’s clerk Sandra Bushell told councillors on Wednesday.

Later this year, a review of the location and effectiveness of markets in Chepstow will take place and the town’s mayor councillor Ned Heywood suggested a new area for possible markets in the future.

He said he hoped a “string of market stalls on Cormeilles Square and down to Beaufort Square” could be a viable idea for a new market place.

And councillor Gerry Rowe said he was in favour of boosting markets in the town and said street traders should be encouraged as much as possible.

Under Monmouthshire Council’s street trading policy a block street trading consent permits two or more traders to trade at an organised event or market.

Consent is normally issued to a market or a charity, council or community events where there is no admission charge for entry.

The event organiser who holds the consent is responsible for individual trading activities and must ensure traders comply with conditions.

Ms Bushell said supporting the measures would be another way of encouraging farmers and producers to the town.

She said the council would look to share running costs with the town’s marketing group.

A review of the producers’ events will be held in November.

The High Street will not close as the market will experiment to see how it operates without the road closure.