Witham town centre could be closed to traffic one day per month for a 100-stall street market in a bid to encourage shoppers.

Relocating the town’s market from Lockram Lane to Newland Street has been a priority for the Witham Town Centre Development Community Interest Company (CIC).

Stall holders have previously expressed safety concerns because of traffic on the main road, but the CIC is now planning to apply to Essex County Council (ECC) to close Newland Street to traffic in order to hold the market.

CIC director Rob Williams said: “We were told to think bigger because if you think on a small scale it will fail."