The Sandbach market is set to open for on Fridays during a trial period to measure public and trader interest in having an additional day.

Sandbach Town Council agreed to the trial period, which begins tomorrow, after requests from three of the traders to have the additional day.

Katy Pepper, the assistant town clerk, told councillors: "I am suggesting a four week trial period because historically, there's a maximum of three traders that turn up on a Friday, and one of those is purely stock checking."

Part of the proposals was for footfall to be measured in the market twice on every Friday during the trial period to measure public interest.

Ms Pepper said that Friday's are a concessionary day for traders, so no rent is charged. There is a cost implication to the council as there needs to be security present while the market is open, costing £82.50 plus VAT.

One of the other measurements council staff will be checking is the number of traders, with hopes that a minimum of five traders will set up on the trial days.

Cllr Gill Merry said: "We are all aware that many people are struggling in these rather difficult times, particularly when traders weren't able to trade for such a long time. I'm more than happy to see this move forward for at least a month trial."

A decision on whether to continue with the Friday openings will be made after the trial period.

Separately, councillors also backed a recommendation to issue a verbal warning to any traders failing to pack up their stalls on time. Ms Pepper said council staff were having to stay longer to sanitise and put away equipment as a result.

The council will be open tomorrow (30 October), and every Friday until 20 November from 8:30am to 2pm. The usual Thursday and Saturday market days remain unchanged.