NEWS a monthly fine food market will be added to Ilkley's growing events calendar next year has received overwhelming public support in a consultation study.

Local traders who already attend food and produce markets elsewhere in Bradford district are poised to establish a new open-air market in the town centre.

It will be dedicated to locally-produced fine food and drink, and organisers hope to expand it into a regular community event.

Those behind the initiative, who have been in discussions with Bradford Markets for more than a year, plan to run the first market in South Hawksworth Street on March 6, and continue with one on the first Sunday of each month until December.

If the market continues the following year, organisers plan to take two months off in January and February.

Efforts to secure the venture have been led by resident, Paula Connor, who sells home-made produce at events outside of Ilkley. She joined forces with local producers and sellers to get a feasibility study off the ground.

She spoke at a meeting of Ilkley Parish Council on Monday, detailing the high levels of support from members of the public revealed in the research.

She said: "We're actually quite overwhelmed by the number of responses we've had.

"We had a total of 588, and of those, 85 per cent were Ilkley residents. Ninety-four per cent either agreed or strongly agreed that Ilkley would benefit from a fine food and local produce market on a regular basis."

But she stressed the event would not be a farmers' market, and the emphasis would be selling fine food and local produce.

The study also took into account what shops were open close to the proposed market area on Sundays, concluding Bettys Cafe Tearooms was the only food retailer trading at that time.

In their report, the group behind the market bid describe the remit of a fine food market as selling artisan products. It will focus on food and drink, and not include crafts or other goods.

Ilkley Parish Council agreed it would support the idea of the market.

Cllr Stephen Butler, who is also chairman of Ilkley Business Forum, said he is "very impressed" with the level of consultation that has taken place.

Organisers are due to have another meeting with Bradford Markets next week to finalise details.

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