A TROUBLESHOOTER has been appointed to oversee the regeneration of Winsford and Northwich markets.

Vale Royal Borough Council has assigned John Green, 58, to work on improving the markets for traders and shoppers alike.

He is a man on a mission - to make the markets the focal point of the towns.

John wants to encourage shoppers to check out what the markets have to offer, while sprucing up the buildings.

In Northwich work has started on improvement works to re-lay the floor of the town's market. Boulevards are being added to direct shoppers on a clear route through the market.

The revamp means 20 stalls will be lost, but John believes it will improve the market and streamline the set-up.

He said: 'There were too many stalls at Northwich and we are taking out the worst ones. Then we can reposition the others and make it more spacious.'

The redevelopment of the market also fits in with the Northwich Vision.

'It's the beginning of the beginning for the Vision,' said John, who says the market has been badly hit by the closure of the Hayhurst Swing Bridge for refurbishment.

The initial round of work at Northwich market is due to be finished in time for the Thundersprint on Sunday, May 9, and market holders will be opening specially for the event.

In Winsford, where traders have spoken out about the need for rein-vestment, additional signs in the town will direct shoppers to the market.

John, who has more than 25 years experience as a market stallholder and manager, said: 'In Winsford we are doing quite a bit of resigning. The floor is going to be cleaned - it's got chewing gum on it, and then it will be cleaned every three months and it will brighten the place up.'

Traders will also spread out to the area in front of the steps leading to the market, next to Asda, to bring 'continental gaiety' to the market.

John added: 'It's very early days but we are going to try and do more themed markets, like continental and bric-abrac.

'What we are aiming for is to always have something special going on every Monday at Winsford.'

Even the displays put out by market traders will need to be approved by John, who believes the appearance of the stalls contribute 50% to the look of the market.

He said: 'The dangerous thing you can do is become a supermarket, but there's no reason why it should look like a bazaar.

'It's a different angle to shopping - you get a more personal service and you can build up a personal relationship with the traders.

'Unfortunately, with the younger generation, everybody works. As a result, there is less time for them to shop, which is why we want to build up the weekend trader and Sunday market.'

In recent weeks Winsford traders have said more lock-up stalls are wanted, as opposed to traditional stalls - a point John is aware of and looking to accommodate.

He added: 'It's something we are looking at in the medium term, but I don't want to lose our individuality and go the whole hog with shop units. But there is space to build units on the free walls.'