FOR two days Wickford High Street will be transformed into a bustling market place with traders from France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Holland.
The Continental Market will return to the town for the third time at the end of September.
Stall holders will be wearing traditional costumes and selling a variety of foods including Brittany biscuits, olives, Italian nougat, cheese, sausages, tartiflette, charcuterie, fresh bread, croissants and crepes.
The market will also offer a wide range of European items including hand bags and leather items, Marseille soaps, lavender, children's toys and pashminas.
The Continental Market is operated by Traditional Markets Ltd and the event is organised and funded by Basildon Council.
Olivier Simonin, market operator for Traditional Markets, said: "Most of the products on sale will come from each stall holder's region where they are produced by small organisations such as family businesses, farms or small factories using traditional methods, maintaining a high standard of quality.
"We look forward to coming back to Wickford," he added.
Dawn Warwick, owner of Bake n Cake on the High Street welcomed the new customers the market would attract but was concerned that the extra traders could provide unwelcome competition in challenging times.
She said: "The markets are good for bringing people in but I will be worried if they are selling cupcakes as they will take my business away.
"They pay a small amount to have a stall and we are struggling – they should sell different things to the shops. There are too many food places in the town and, although I sell different things to the other shops, last year the market sold cupcakes."
Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, was positive that the markets would improve trade in town.
He said: "We are committed to regenerating Wickford town centre and attracting more visitors and businesses into the area and this is an important part of that.
"We want Wickford to be more vibrant and to encourage new people to visit the town to do their shopping and one-off markets can help to do that. The last two markets have been magnificent, very well attended and popular with local traders.
"We had local residents, young and old, attending and it gave a genuine boost to the town centre."
Mr Ball added: "I am delighted that we can repeat the event, and on a weekend too so even more people can attend this time."
The Continental Market will be taking place on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 from 9am to 5pm. There will be free parking on the day.
For more information and a video of the markets visit www.traditionalmarket.co.uk and www.facebook.com/traditionalmarket
