A new indoor and outdoor market will launch in Wigton after months of negotiations finally came to fruition.

Officials from Wigton town council, Allerdale council and operator Geraud Markets have been locked in talks for a number of months about revamping the town’s tired market scene.

A deal has now been struck to launch a new weekly market from March 11 with councillors and traders hoping it will give a boost to Wigton’s market town status.

It is due to run every Friday both inside the Market Hall and outside on the recently-renovated Cornmarket area outside St Mary’s Church.

Initially it is scheduled to run until November.

A long-running weekly Tuesday market was lost in August 2013 after poor trade forced it to close. Currently a Friday market runs on the former Hopes Auction site, but town leaders believe it is no longer fit for purpose.

Town councillor Sandra Keaveney, who has been leading the charge for a new market, said: “The way we look at it is Wigton is a market town at its heart and the market at the moment has been basically dying so we felt something needed to be done.

“We needed to try something. If we don’t succeed we have at least tried.

“Both Allerdale and Geraud have backed it and say they will give it their full support to try to revitalise the market for Wigton.”

A market charter was first granted for Wigton in 1262 by King Henry III with the 750th anniversary prompting a year-long celebration in the town.

If successful those behind the new venture are hoping to be able to expand the market into other areas of the town in the future.

“The ambition would be to have a street market that’s vibrant and attractive that adds to the town,” added Sandra.

“We want to attract traders into Wigton, both the old ones and newer ones. If you look at Keswick there’s a waiting list to go on the market there. I don’t see why Wigton couldn’t get some of those waiting and come here and be a springboard.

“I have felt passionate about a Wigton market for a long time. We did try unsuccessfully at the time of the market charter celebrations in 2012 but we were competing with Hopes. But at the moment there’s no competition because it’s not fit for purpose. Everybody is coming together now.

“The way we see it is that it can enhance the town and hopefully it will help the independent retailers and keep the strong tradition going.”

A volunteer-run monthly market had been operating in the town on Tuesdays but was scrapped earlier this year after it was deemed unsustainable.

An Allerdale council spokeswoman said: “We are working with Wigton town council to build on the success of the monthly produce and craft market that has taken place in the town over the past year.

“The new market will be held on the recently refurbished Cornmarket area in front of St Mary’s Church, and subject to demand for indoor and outdoor stalls, will extend into the Market Hall and the southern end of Water Street car park.

“The new market will be operated by Geraud Markets Ltd, which manages the borough’s markets on behalf of Allerdale council.”

Anyone interested in securing a pitch – stalls can be provided – should get in touch with Phil Byers on 07753934540 or email philip.byers@groupegeraud.co.uk .