The running of Ramsey’s deteriorating market has been handed over to a trust, which has announced a plan to increase its appeal.

Ramsey Neighbourhoods Trust (RNT) has been awarded the Ramsey market charter by the town council, with the aim of giving it a new lease of life.

The market was previously run by the Ramsey Initiative but, following a renewal of the lease for market rights, other interested parties were invited to put forward their plans.

Carol Aston, chairman of the RNT, said: “We would like to thank the Ramsey Initiative for all their hard work managing the market charter over previous years.

“RNT would ultimately love to expand the current Saturday market and run speciality events but we can’t do this on our own, and it won’t happen overnight.”

As a part of its new role, the trust will be working on a number of ideas that it hopes will be able to increase footfall, along with encouraging new traders to attend.

“We realise that markets have changed over time to reflect modern shopping habits so our market may need to develop away from that of the traditional market format,” said Ms Aston.

“Everything RNT does aims to make Ramsey a better place for all who live, work, volunteer or visit here so - in true community development style - we want to hear views of Ramsey residents on what you would like to see happen to your market.”

Ramsey Town Council has a five-year lease to run the market, and chose RNT to take over the running of the market on its behalf – for a period of two years - after presentations from the trust and the Ramsey Initiative.

Councillor Doug McIlwain, mayor of Ramsey, pictured, said: “The council felt that the neighbourhood trust would bring something more, the market needs life putting into it.

“We have awarded the license to the trust for two years. We hope that the neighbourhood trust will be able to increase the number of stalls, in particular we want them to look at the Saturday market.”

To have your say on how Ramsey market could be improved, e-mail market.rntoffice@gmail.com.