BASINGSTOKE’S market has moved back to its home in Market Place this week following the delayed completion of a £280,000 repaving scheme.

Traders from the Wednesday and Saturday markets at the Top of The Town have now moved back to Market Place after being temporarily relocated to the bottom of Wote Street, between Debenhams and Central car park since October 28.

Hampshire County Council has been carrying out the improvement scheme as part of its Operation Resilience programme and Basing-stoke and Deane Borough Council’s initiative to make the Top of The Town more attractive to shoppers.

Work has included taking up the old paving, reconstructing the base and laying new slabs at the site, outside The Willis Museum, to ensure that the surface remains in a good condition for longer.

Improvement work to the area was expected to be completed by April 7, but further delays following “weather-related issues” meant that the work was not completed until Monday.

Chas Bradfield, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s town centre project manager, said: “Whilst the improvement works at Market Place have taken a little longer than anticipated, I hope everyone agrees that the end result has been well worth the wait.

“The town centre programme is now starting to take shape. Basingstoke now has a much-improved market square providing an exciting, vibrant and interesting area for residents and visitors to enjoy. Thank you to everyone for bearing with us while these essential improvements were carried out.”

Councillor Sean Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire County Council said: “I’m pleased that work at Market Place is complete.

“On behalf of the county council, I would like to thank businesses, residents and visitors for their patience while these works were carried out and hope that the new improved square will have a positive impact on the town centre.”