A NEW weekly Retail and Farmers Market is being launched on the High Street this Friday.

The current Saturday market has been in place on the High Street for about three years and was provided in response to the benefits of a likely increase in people visiting the permanent shops in the town.

The new Friday market will have a greater focus on local food produce and will complement the existing retailers and businesses as well as creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and shoppers.

In July the Council's Business and Town Centres Committee approved the introduction of a second weekday market for Essex Farmers Markets, the current operator.

The Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Vicky Davies will be visiting the market at 12noon this Friday.

Brentwood Borough Council's Chair of the Business and Town Centres' Committee, Councillor David Kendall, said: "I believe a weekday market on a Friday will be popular and will attract new customers. It is also a chance for those who work in Brentwood to visit in their lunch break and see what is on offer.

"The market will be different to the Saturday one and will also include local food stalls, so it is worth a visit to see what they have."

Mike Allen, from Essex Farmers' Markets, said: "Further to the success of the Saturday Food and Retail market in Brentwood High Street, we are pleased to announce that we have been given the go-ahead by Brentwood Council to provide a similar weekly market on Fridays.

"This is to encourage local residents and the large number of people who commute to and work in Brentwood on weekdays to come and enjoy the shopping experience that the Saturday market offers."