Market traders have given their new home the thumbs up after they moved out of Gravesend Borough Market to make way for a £1.8m refurbishment.

Stallholders were given the option by Gravesham council to move to the St George’s Centre or face finding somewhere else to run their businesses as preparations begin on the year long upgrade which was kick-started by a government lottery grant.

The move caused concern among some who were unhappy with original plans to place them in a quiet corner but a more visible unit was found to placate fears.

They are now in the old Loose Linen store, which sold curtains and bedding.

The stallholders have been in the mall, off New Road, for more than a month and are happy with the new surroundings but some admitted the message they remain open for businesses needed to be stressed.

Some have seen a marked improvement.

Peta Delahoyde, 77, who claims takings have doubled at her Peta-Unusual-Gifts stall where she sells hand crafted jewellery and baby clothes.

She said: “If we could I’d like to stay here and pass on the business to one of my granddaughters when they are old enough.

“Here we have more footfall, whereas the market was more of a thoroughfare. This is exceptional for us, so much so my sales have doubled.

“It is clean and everything is displayed beautifully. Before it looked like a shanty town but here people look after their stalls.”

Mark Stewart, of Market Rugs, said he was happy dealing in a warm and clean shop as opposed to being exposed to the elements.

He said: “I had an advantage in the old market in that it was the first business people saw but I’m pleased with where I am here. If anything I’m spending a bit more being so close to the shops.

“We were more concerned when we were going to be stuck in a corner so when this became available we were much happier. It’s a much warmer and cleaner environment.”

Pam Gangotra, who has run her ladies’ fashion stall for 13 years, said she was starting to see sales pick up after a quiet few years in the old market.

She said: “It has been better especially in the past couple of weeks but obviously you get good days and bad ones. For the last few years it had been quiet in the market.

“The problem I’ve found is that people don’t know I’m here but hopefully that is starting to change.” That issue was echoed by Judy Lines who helps run her sister’s Needles and Pins stall.

She said: “People are still unaware about us and say ‘I didn’t know you were still open’ but I’m glad to be here. This is much nicer.”

Although the stallholders secured their short-term futures by moving to the St George’s Centre, a question mark remains after the council informed them they would have to reapply for pitches in the new market due to reopen next summer.

However centre manager Andrew Thomas-Knowles hinted their temporary home could become permanent should they wish to stay.

He said: “It is something we have contemplated and will consider for traders unable to make the move back into the refurbished market.

“We have helped them out as much as we can and it works to our advantage as it fills an empty unit. They had no option when they came across but they have remained upbeat and it adds to the centre.

“It was the community thing to do and it wasn’t a particularly difficult decision for us to make. They are really lovely people when you get chatting to them.”