WORCESTER’S market in Angel Place has added Friday to its days of operation, after an “extremely positive” re-launch in December.

The extra day will provide a new antiques, vintage and craft market alongside existing food stallholders such as butchers, fishmongers, fresh fruit and vegetables stalls and hot food options.

This extension has been designed to entice more visitors and shoppers to the city centre.

Dermot McGillicuddy, director of LSD Promotions, which runs the markets on behalf of the Worcester City Council, said: “The response from the public to Worcester’s re-vamped Angel Place market has been extremely positive - trade is steadily growing and for this reason we’re increasing the number of days on which the market operates.”

He added that an antique and vintage market on Fridays was part of his company's original tender submission to the council, but the retention of food stallholders which are "in high demand" was only agreed during a review of the re-launch.

The first Friday market was held on Friday, March 27, and will run every week alongside Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Mr McGillicuddy said: "The first Friday was brilliant and the traders were really pleased.

"It was pretty busy and the public responded well to the antiques, vintage and craft sections.

"One stallholder said he was nicely surprised with the level of trade and that he even did better than at a long-established vintage market in Oxford.

"Generally the feedback has been very, very positive for the Friday market and we were happy with its launch."

Mike Price, of Respoke Designs, which has had a stall at the Angel Place market for three months, said of the market's re-launch since December: “There’s been a really positive response from local people - they love the mixture of crafts and other products.

“People say how friendly the market is and that it looks nice.”

Pat Perry, owner of Worcester Luggage, who has had a stall at the Angel Place market for almost a decade, added: “The new Angel Place market is about 10 times better than it used to be.

“It is run professionally and the people that run it look after the market properly.

“There are more stalls now – and more people coming to browse.”

A series of special themed market days are also set to launch in other Worcester city centre locations.

On Saturday, April 4, an Easter market will take place from 10am to 5pm in Worcester High Street while on Easter Sunday (April 5) ‘Upmarkets’ will be launched in the High Street from 10am to 4pm.

A rambling market by the river will kick off on Easter Monday (April 6) from 10am to 4pm, including buskers and street performers.

For more details visit worcestercitymarkets.co.uk