A NEW monthly market launched in York last year has brought a fresh sense of community and vibrancy to its corner of the city, organisers say.

Acomb began hosting a market on the fourth Saturday of every month on a trial basis in summer 2016, and arrangement was made permanent in the autumn of that year.

Traders marked the first anniversary in July 2017, and now 18 months on from the start of the trial the organisers say business has boomed and their experiment has helped transformed the atmosphere the area on market days.

Sue Hunter, chairman of the Acomb Alive traders group which launched the new market, said: "We started with about six stalls, but we're up to 30 something now.

"There's a fantastic atmosphere. There's no pressure to shop, but there's a real community feeling which is what we were hoping to bring to Acomb. We want people to come out and chat with each other."

Stalls vary from month to month, but include street food, popcorn, plants, baking, clothing, shoes and more.

Sue added: "We will be continuing the market in 2018, because it's proving very popular."

The city council had to make an amendment to York's 600 year old market charter to allow the Acomb event to become permanent, as the 1316 document banned markets within 6.66 miles of the Shambles Market. Acomb followed Haxby as the second area in York to be given the right to hold a market when its amendment was granted in October 2016.

"We definitely see more people coming in to Acomb on market days, but we need to keep spreading the word," Sue added.

For the market to grow next year, they need to see improvements to the layout and a more even surface area for the stalls, she said.

The traders group is also hoping to see more people volunteering in their area - even just by taking on flower pots and planters to maintain.

Sue said: "It would be great if more communities could get together to do this.

"I find people will come out and chat to me when I'm watering the plants, it's a way of getting people together and talking in our area."

The Acomb Alive traders entered Yorkshire in Bloom in 2017, and in 2018 they are hoping to get involved in the city's new "Bloom" flower festival launching at the beginning of July, Sue added.