MALVERN Cube is set to be the venue for the first weekly market in Malvern since the late lamented Friday market in Back Lane.

Plans are well under way for the new market, which will be held on Saturdays at the Albert Road North venue.

The proposal is a collaboration between Malvern Youth and Community Trust, which runs the Cube, and the town and district councils.

They hope to launch the market this spring, and now they want to hear from potential stall holders to make the market a success.

Jon White, the Cube's manager, said: "Malvern hasn't had a regular weekly market since the Back Lane market stopped after Waitrose was built on the site.

"This new market is intended to fill that gap. It's intended primarily as a food market and now we want to hear from producers and sellers who can make up the stallholders. We want to hear from local food producers who are interested in taking part and selling their produce.

"We intend to use the theatre space here at the Cube for the market, which will give it the advantage of being indoors and less affected by the weather than the old market was."

The former Friday market was an established part of Malvern's shopping scene, taking over part of the old Back Lane car park off Edith Walk every week.

It featured a wide variety of food and non-food stalls, and many shoppers missed it following its demise. It was revived following the opening of Waitrose in 1999, but failed to flourish and was subsequently discontinued.

Among the traders who could become part of the market are fruit and vegetable sellers, cheese vendors, butchers, fishmongers and others. Anyone interested should contact Mr White at the Cube on 01684 575363.

The Cube, formerly Malvern Youth Centre, was taken over by Malvern Youth and Community Trust after funding from Worcestershire County Council ceased. It provides a venue for concerts and shows, and a home for numerous community groups.