RESIDENTS and businesses alike will be able to get festive in the run-up to Christmas this year, as the team behind a new initiative to promote local businesses have been given the go-ahead to put on a Christmas market in Camelford this December.

Two representatives from the team behind the newly set-up Camelford Market attended the meeting of Camelford Town Council on October 15 to hear councillors discuss their application to run a market and craft fair this December.

Alan and Terry, from Camelford businesses Camels Garden and the Crystal Coffee Shop, are part of the team behind the new Camelford Market, which was set up initially to offer a town market on the evening of Camelford Carnival in the car park of Hair and Beauty.

The Camelford Market have since had plans to expand their markets, and applied to Camelford Town Council to run a festive market and craft fair at the OCM site and the bandstand on Market Place on Sunday, December 8.

During the public participation section of the meeting, Alan addressed the councillors and said: “As you all know, we’re setting up the carnival market up at Hair and Beauty. Our plan is then to start them (the markets), probably by-monthly — every two months — and that’s why we’ve asked for permission to hold markets on the bandstand and also the OCM, because what we want to do is expand it.”

Mayor, Claire Hewlett, advised the council that the markets would be held on Sundays, starting on December 8.

Town clerk Esther Greig advised: “From what the gentlemen have said already, it’s going to be something that is going to build, so this is just overflow if they need it. It’s just a question of getting the permission in first, in advance.”

Cllr Andy Shaw asked what insurance the market would be taking, and Ms Greig said it would be a form of public liability insurance. Cllr Shaw added: “As long as we’re covered.”

Agreeing, Cllr Lauren Rathbone said: “I think that’s it — as long as we’re covered, I think anything that’s going to try and bring people into the town is absolutely fantastic. I’ve got no problems, so I’ll move and propose.”

Cllr Rathbone proposed granting permission to Camelford Market to carry out their festive market on December 8, which was seconded by Cllr Ayla Ackroyd-Johnson and the vote was unanimous.

To keep up to date on the Christmas market, like the Camelford Market Facebook page, where more details will follow.