TRADERS will make a long-awaited return to Wokingham's Market Place next week as the regeneration works near completion.

Due to over-running snagging issues, the final cleaning and sealing of the site will take place over the coming weeks, which the council hope will be completed ahead of the Market Celebration and Heritage Day events on Saturday, September 15.

In the meantime, regular traders will return to Market Place next week, and the first Farmers' Market in the new-look town will take place next Thursday (6).

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for town centre regeneration Cllr Philip Mirfin said: “We know it has been a long and frustrating wait and apologise for that, but the new Market Place looks fantastic and it will be great to see market traders back in their rightful place. There are still a few issues to sort out but the Farmers’ Market is a good opportunity to come into town and see the improvements.”

The borough and town councils are also taking into account a number of safety concerns which have been raised regarding the new design of the town centre, namely the lack of bollards and the smooth surface of the paving stones, which some people fear will become slippery when it rains.

Cllr Mirfin said: “We are taking the comments received and incidents reported seriously and they will be considered as part of the safety audit. We did work hard with access groups to get the design right but are not complacent and will do anything that is necessary to ensure the town centre is safe and accessible.”