PROPOSALS to return one of the region's first produce markets back to its hometown have been met with a lukewarm response by organisers.Halesworth Town Council has been campaigning to introduce power to the town's market place, off Chediston Street, in the hope that it will attract Halesworth Produce Market back to the town.

PROPOSALS to return one of the region's first produce markets back to its hometown have been met with a lukewarm response by organisers.

Halesworth Town Council has been campaigning to introduce power to the town's market place, off Chediston Street, in the hope that it will attract Halesworth Produce Market back to the town.

But the proposal of an outdoor location has not impressed the market's organisers.

Lotty Barber, who has run the market for more than three years, said: “If they got themselves an under cover community centre then we would be back in a flash but it's not ideal for all the stall holders to go outside.”

The produce market, which offers a range of local goods, is currently held at Holton Village Hall.

It moved there in January 2006 after its previous venue, the former Ukon Fishing Tackle building in the Halesworth town centre, was sold.

Mrs Barber said: “The facilities would have to be right in the market square as outdoors would not be ideal at this stage.

“Some of our shoppers are elderly and if it's a pouring wet day then they wouldn't be likely to come - we would suffer in the harsh weather.”

She said all of the Market Place shopkeepers would also have to be happy for them to be there on a Saturday morning.

The idea of moving back to Halesworth itself, however, does appeal to the market traders.

Nina Bareham, who runs a French tarts and pastries stall, said: “We would love to go back to Halesworth.

“Holton is fine but in Halesworth you get a lot passing trade - it's just a case of finding somewhere to put the market.”

She said a lot of shop owners in Halesworth preferred it when the market was there because their businesses were also boosted.

It has been estimated that the Market Place power points will cost up to £9,000.

Alan Holzer, chairman of Halesworth Town Council, said: “We're hoping by getting these power points we could attract the produce market back to the town.

“The Wednesday market is slowly improving and if we have the produce market as well we think that would be excellent.”

He said he thought Halesworth had enough car parks to cater for all the Saturday shoppers in the absence of parking available at the Market Place.

“The market would only be from 9am to 1pm and I don't think it's asking too much of people to park elsewhere just once a month.”