A historic high street market controversially axed after 700 years could soon return as plans for its rebirth have been included in draft budget documents.

Frustrated stallholders in Canterbury have been left scattered across the city centre since the attraction was scrapped last year by the former Conservative administration.

However, the new Labour-Lib Dem coalition has set out plans to bring it back, and now wants to put the proposals out to a public consultation.

Residents would be asked their views on traders returning to St George’s Street, which was recently refurbished at a cost of £1 million after the market was disbanded.

The public would also have a say on the types of goods they want to see offered.

Exact details such as the market’s layout and the days it would operate would be determined at a later date after all feedback had been considered.

It is estimated the weekly market would cost £61,000 per year, which Canterbury City Council (CCC) says would cover the salary for a market manager, non-domestic rates and waste removal costs.

It is proposed market and street traders would be hit with a 10% rise in fees, which the council believes reflects its increasing costs and is in line with most other increases on the cards next year.

It would mean a three-by-three metre pitch at Canterbury market would cost £54.10, compared to £49.18, while a six-by-six metre pitch would rise to £81.15 from £73.77.

Aside from the proposed fee increase, there are no plans to change street trading arrangements in the city centre.

In documents discussing the possible new market manager role, the council says: “The market manager will be tasked with generating additional income by increasing market activity and so it is anticipated that these costs will reduce over time."

First announced in 2021, the idea of removing the market from its historic home sparked a bitter row between traders and the council.

Rather than being centred in one spot, remaining traders are now dispersed and have been granted pitches in four different zones - stretching from St Dunstan's and Station Road West, up to Guildhall Street and the top end of the high street.

However, the leader of the Canterbury attraction, Steve Bamber, told KentOnline last year the authority’s vision of splitting up stallholders was a “way of killing off” the market.

Bosses at the authority believe the feedback to any consultation could provide more information as to whether or not other events and activities would be welcome in the newly refurbished St George’s Street.

The pedestrianised area underwent a seven-figure makeover earlier this year in the hope of transforming it into a leafy boulevard.

However, the works - which had already proved divisive due to their impact on the market – have come under fire for the style of the paving used, with one critic saying it left the high street “looking like Essex”.

Cllr Connie Nolan, the cabinet member for community, said: “The return of Canterbury market was a commitment made by both the coalition parties in their election manifestos earlier this year, and since May we have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to get to this point.

“There is a financial implication to bringing the market back, which means the correct approach is to consult the public as part of our overall budget process.

“If the Cabinet agrees to the consultation, then we will be very interested to hear what residents and traders have to say.

“It would be really important that any new market has the support of local residents and businesses and sells the products that people want to buy, while traders who work on it have the confidence that it will be worth their while being there.”

The market scheme forms one part of the council’s attempts to agree a budget for 2024/25, with the reopening of Sturry Road Park and Ride and controversial parking charge increases also on the agenda.

The Cabinet will meet to discuss the draft budget on Monday at the Guildhall in St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, at 7pm.

If given the green light, the consultation will run from Monday, November 13, to Monday, January 8.