TRADERS at Evesham's Indoor Market are calling on townsfolk to support the struggling site as business has failed to pick up since it re-opened.

Eight stalls are now up and running at the High Street premises and holders are urging old customers to return and new shoppers to see what they have to offer.

Margaret Carington opened the wool shop yesterday (12) and is selling knitting and crochet accessories.

She said: "I am looking forward to working here. The market is something special and it is important it stays open. It is one of the last few covered markets so people need to support it while it is in this transition stage."

Nigel Bishop opened the fruit and vegetable stall two weeks ago. He said: "Business has been slow to start with. Everyone says they want the market back but no-one wants to support it. I hope it picks up soon."

His son Craig, aged 21, who works opposite on the CD and DVD stall also said business was slow.

Two former traders have returned to the market to have another go at things. Steve Fairbrother has brought back the sweet stall, which he ran for 11 years prior to the market's closure in December.

He said: "I thought I would give it another go. It's picking up slowly but people have got to come back here. I had many regular customers before so I hope they come back."

Dennis Davison is back selling footwear. He said: "It did well before so when I heard the market was re-opening I though I would give it a go."

A pet food shop opened on Saturday (7) and has attracted some old faces back. Trader Charlotte Isles, whose mother previously ran the stall for 18 months, said: "It has gone ok. It's not as busy as it used to be but people are still coming down so fingers crossed it will pick up."

Charles Mcallister, from Pershore, has revived the market cafe again at the rear of the site.