A TWICE weekly market in Chesham has run into criticism over its presentation after it was compared to the highly successful French market which visited the town.

The market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays, was blasted by publican Sara Hicks, of the George and Dragon, High Street, at a meeting of Chesham Town Consortium last week.

She explained that the French market, held in May, had been 'very positive' and had given the town some 'very good publicity'.

But by comparison, she added, the regular English market was hardly worth the hassle and road closures.

Chesham town councillor Pauline Wilkinson (Con, Newtown) agreed and said it was about time the organisers 'pulled their socks up'.

The market, organised by Town and Country Markets, is held in the High Street and attracts various traders each week selling items from fruit and veg to clothing.

The Wednesday market is an historic charter market granted by King Henry III. The Saturday market was introduced about 28 years ago due to popular demand.

But a lack of facilities such as adequate lighting and a suitable power supply have driven some traders away and made the market a less attractive environment for shoppers.

Maggie Cannon, Chesham town manager, told the meeting a range of improvements that would benefit the market were just around the corner even though they had taken a bit longer than had been expected.

Victorian-style banner columns to mark the High Street more clearly as a shopping area are to be added as well as a power supply and improved lighting to be put in place by the Autumn.

But Mrs Cannon also admitted that the English market often fell short of shopper's expectations.

She said: "It's not presented in the same way. The French have a certain panache that makes it [the market] look a lot more attractive."

Mathew Chard, Town and Country Markets area manager, said there had been a change of management because things had not been running smoothly.

He said: "I agree that things have not all been perfect and I know that things have not been as good as we would like our markets. A market should be an asset to the town not a hindrance."