CALLS are being made for Worcester's market to become the envy of other towns and cities - with council chiefs saying it should become a tourist draw in its own right.

A panel of politicians at Worcester City Council have debated the future of Angel Place, which is going to re-open in December after a £555,000 revamp.

During the meeting, it emerged:

- The council is keen to see Angel Place become a "market with bells and whistles on" featuring niche products, special themed days depending on the time of the week and an emphasis on local produce

- Suggestions that splitting Worcester's market stalls up in different locations should become permanent have not been ruled out

- Council bosses are being asked to aim high and style Angel Place in a similar mould to Ludlow, where the stalls are so highly-regarded tourists book B&B accommodation specifically with the markets in mind

Managing director Duncan Sharkey, speaking during a meeting of the performance, management and budget scrutiny committee said: "The contract effectively lets the operator tell us what they want to sell.

"It doesn't say 'you must be in Angel Place seven days a week' - if they want to run specialised markets or run it on different days in different locations, there is the flexibility to do that.

"The current market isn't drawing enough people into Worcester because it isn't big enough.

"We need to take the current situation and put 'bells and whistles' on it so it becomes a draw."

During the debate, councillors urged him to "go for quality" to make the relaunch a success.

Councillor Roger Knight said: "We should look at what Ludlow does - there you can only sell produce if it is farmed and created within 30 miles of the town.

"I understand it's so incredibly successful B&B's are booked up 18 months in advance.

"Looking at something different is an area we haven't explored yet - a similar idea could bring so much more revenue and income into the city."

Councillor Stephen Hodgson, who chairs the committee, said: "We need to get quality into the market, this is our chance to do that."

Around 20 market units are currently spread around other city locations including the High Street, Church Street, Bank Street and Pump Street until the new-look Angel Place is finished.