A farmers’ market is set to come to a County Durham town in the coming months, a councillor has confirmed.

Councillor Kathryn Rooney, 53, from Consett, has confirmed the market will be coming to Consett around September 7 – though the date may be changed due to conflicts with the Wolsingham Show.

She said the council were able to set up the market due to funding awarded by the Shared Prosperity Fund.

She added a Christmas market for the town had initially been discussed at a council meeting, but this was ruled out due to weather concerns.

She said: “[Consett] used to have a really busy market, a flea market on a Thursday, and a market on Friday and Saturday, but like most towns, the market died off.

“We’re hoping that bringing the farmers’ market if it’s well supported, it’s something that might continue going forward.

“It’s something a little bit different. I run a community page and it was really well received.

“Hopefully, [it will] bring more footfall into the town centre. At the minute, on a Saturday, it’s dire. There’s hardly anybody coming into the town centre.

“Hopefully, it will be a good selection of different produce, something a little bit different.

“If they do come into the town centre, people who haven’t visited Consett before, hopefully, they will make a return visit.”

She added the number of stalls and types of vendors coming to the market are still to be confirmed.

The councillor said parking is being planned out for the event – with Derwentside College’s car park earmarked for extra spaces on the day.

She added she has been working with Weardale’s Makers’ Markets and has started a monthly market in Blackhill which began on June 29.

The market will be operated by the organisers of the Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Baccanalia.