CLITHEROE traders have welcomed plans to hold another continental market in the town following the ‘huge boost’ in custom last time around.

The historic market town held its first European-styled event in April and welcomed more than 10,000 people through its gates over the three days.

While bad weather hit the event hard on its first day, visitor numbers to the market and the town more than doubled during the following two days over the Easter weekend.

The event was staged on the Clitheroe Market car park, with the resulting loss of income to the council covered by event organisers, Groupe Geraud.

The next continental market could be held from Friday, September 27, to Sunday, September 29.

Nick Gell, manager of Cowman's Famous Sausage Shop in Castle Street, said: “There was a huge boost to our custom over the event days.

“It was a lot busier than it normally would have been for us which was great.

“The shop was full of people and there was a huge boost to our trade.

“I would welcome the plans to hold another market in September.”

Kevin Horkin, owner of four Clitheroe town centre businesses, said: “I would welcome any plans that would help to boost trade in the town and boost Clitheroe’s overall retail offer.

“My businesses saw a significant boost to sales and there was clearly an increase in footfall in the town.”

In a report to the borough council’s policy and finance committee, Melissa Thorpe, regeneration projects officer, said: “The majority of the Clitheroe market traders supported the event and opened for an extra day on Good Friday with almost all reported that they had achieved increased sales over the weekend and had attracted new customers.

“The outside stalls on the market were largely taken up on the Friday and Saturday and we are confident that if the event was to take place again that all of these stalls would be taken.”