Stevenage Indoor Market may move to a more "attractive and sustainable" location soon.

Following its 50th anniversary last year, Stevenage Borough Council is working on plans to relocate the indoor market to vacant units in Park Place - next-door to the current location.

If the right terms can be agreed on, the council believes the move would "represent a great location" for existing tenants and new traders to move into.

Currently, the indoor market is home to over 30 business under one roof including a hairdressers, watch repairers, opticians and a food court.

Two of the largest businesses, Portside Soap Company and Cake & Sweet Magic, moved to shops in the town centre in May.

The market’s footfall has been questioned in the past, particularly in relation to the bus station interchange being moved.

In January (2024), Conservative Group leader Cllr Bibby told cabinet members: “I’ve had feedback or complaints from stallholders in the indoor market about the reduced footfall following the siting of the bus interchange.

"This is particularly about older people, less mobile people."

Stevenage's Indoor Market has been part of the community for over 50 years.Stevenage's Indoor Market has been part of the community for over 50 years. (Image: Google)

After the market’s 50th birthday in December 2023, Sally Green of Southern Carpets told the BBC: “People do struggle to start a business in the climate we’re in, so if we concentrate on what we do well and keep going with that, hopefully more and more people will see us through social media and the events we do will increase the footfall.”

Prior to that, in spring 2023, the Comet reported vintage and retro collectables store Monkey’s Emporium had shut for the final time because “business in the market never really improved” after the Covid-19 pandemic when “footfall decreased dramatically”.

The council hopes that the new location will have “more passing footfall” and remain “committed” to supporting the indoor market.

More details will be provided in due course.