AN experienced trader has pledged to make Great Harwood farmers market the ‘focal point’ of the town after taking it over.

Andrew Wallin, 28, has recently become head of Great Harwood’s monthly event after visiting the July edition and being disappointed at its lack of popularity.

That inspired Mr Wallin, who lives in Ribchester, to take over the market after it looked set to close and he now has big plans to reinvigorate the site.

He said: “It can be the focal point of the town, it’s a place for the older generation to get together and catch up and have a natter.

“There are definitely still people out there who want to come, they want to see markets as the heart of the town.

“I just want to build it up and bring as many people in as many people to the community as possible.”

Mr Wallin, who is originally from Australia, is head of the annual Ribchester Spring Bank Village Market and the Ribchester August Carboot.

He is planning on expanding the number of stalls at the market, which is held in Town Hall Street.

The last event, on August 7, had 11 stalls but Mr Wallin would like to see it host more than 30.

He said: “We’re trying to get the people of the area together and talking again, that’s what we’re trying to do.

“It’s all just volunteers at the moment, it needs as many people as possible to come and support it and get that footfall up.

“It’s going to be a tough job, but we can get there.”

Mr Wallin took over the market before this month’s edition from previous organiser Gaskell Motor Bodies who had seen numbers attending dwindle and were looking to close the market.

Cllr Stephanie Haworth said: “Anything that brings the community together is good for the area, especially if it gets the children together.

“People don’t go out and talk to each another enough these days, so it would be brilliant if the market could do that.

“Providing they do what they say they are going to do it will be fantastic for the area.”

The next market will take place on Sunday, September 4, from 10am to 2pm and will run on the first Sunday of every month from March to December.