A market is due to return to Hounslow town centre, despite a nine-month trial being beset by problems.

The world food market, which opened at the western end of the High Street in April last year, closed down just before Christmas.

Council leaders had spoken effusively about how the market would attract more shoppers and help kick-start the area’s regeneration.

But critics, including shopkeepers, residents and councillors from both main parties, complained about the smell, waste and poor quality of produce on offer. Workers at one stall were even arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/food-market-here-stay-hounslow-5966039

Even before it opened, existing traders had protested about being kicked off the High Street to make way for the new stalls, claiming the decision had cost them their livelihoods.

Heather Cheesbrough, assistant regeneration director at Hounslow Council, said she was aware there had been some complaints about the market but it had helped increase visitors to the High Street.

She told the Chronicle the council was looking to appoint a new operator for a market at the same site, but that it was unlikely to open before re-paving work had been finished this summer.

“We think the market created good footfall but when we tendered we didn’t attract the right quality of offer,” she said.

“We’re keen to have a market but it’s got to be the right quality and it’s got to be (run by) the right operator.”

She added that there had been a number of applications for licences from stallholders removed from the High Street before the market opened, which she said would be considered on a case-by-case basis.