A GREATER variety of stalls and attractions could come to Selby market – but only with the help of the public.

The town council has urged residents and visitors to get in touch with ideas about the sort of stalls they want to see at the market.

Karen Mann, the new town council clerk, said the idea came after she spent time among traders.

She said: “These last four weeks I’ve been helping the markets manager, setting up and taking rent from traders, so I’ve had a walk around and got a feel for it.

“People who live here and visit should have input into what’s here. What would you like to see? What would you bring into the town? We have gaps and we can fill them with things more bespoke to the needs of the people.”

Ms Mann, who has lived in Selby for 34 years, said although the town used to attract bus trips for the market and abbey, the recent economic situationin the UK had hit the market community hard.

Occasionally, traders from nearby markets had visited Selby and new stalls had proved popular, as had the monthly farmers’ markets.

Ms Mann said: “The traders are really good and we’ve spoken to them about what they can bring from other markets, but what we don’t want to do is take trade away from shops. What we can’t do is conflict. We want to encourage variety and offer more to the town. We just need to know what people want.”

Anyone with ideas should email hello@selbytowncouncil.co.uk or phone markets manager Gill Bell on 01757 708449.