A BID to rejuvenate Witham town centre by pedestrianising a road for a market and street-side dining has been welcomed by businesses.

As part of town centre improvements, Braintree Council is looking at the viability of creating a market to entice more visitors to the town.

Pedestrianising the upper part of Guithavon Street would give Witham a central vehicle-free space for a market, seasonal events and street-side dining.

Stephen Wenlock, district landscape architect and Braintree Council, said it would make Witham more appealing.

In a letter shared at a Witham Town Council Environment Committee meeting, he said: “We do believe that shutting the top end of Guithavon Street could be the best way to make a proper place to hold Witham Market – pending a consultation with businesses, visitors and residents – as it would be capable of achieving greater positive change in the town than that which could be had by just a road closure once or twice a week.”

He said Witham has very little space on the High Street where people can stop at their leisure to relax.

He added: “If we are to improve the appeal of Witham Town Centre and improve footfall and visitor spend, then consideration has to be given to creating space for a mix of social activities and experiences that cause people to choose to stop and visit.

“A developed market offer is one of them. If Guithavon Street is not permanently closed, then this aspect becomes very hard to realise, as there is no other ready space.”

Funda Saridas, who works at the Royal Café, praised the idea of a market in Witham Town Centre: “It would probably bring more people to our business.

“We would gain some new customers who might be visiting the market.”

Aldo Iorizzo, who has owned Mama Dells for 25 years, said: “They have talked about it for years.

“I would like to see it happen and I think it would be a good thing for the town, but it has been mentioned for so long.”

Dax Whitnell, owner of Hold the Anchovies, claims that while the market was a good idea the town centre in Witham still lags behind other towns.

He said: “Most towns have a pedestrianised area and it would be good for Witham.

“Definitely something needs to be done to help the town centre.

“We are not a shopping town and people do not come out to Witham to go shopping.”

Any plans will go to public consultation before they are decided.