STROOD Market did brisk business on the first day at its new home.

Members of the Strood Market Association said the new site, at Commercial Road, filled with customers after it was formally opened on Saturday.

The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Medway Council cabinet member Jane Chitty, and balloons were launched.

Chairman Matt Hume said: “It has been fantastic. Everything went according to plan. The place was also filled up with customers all day long. I am grateful to Medway Council for listening to us and for the publicity provided by the Medway Messenger.”

Market traders were in danger of losing their pitches after supermarket chain Aldi gained planning permission to build a store on their old site in Friary Place.

They raised a 5,000-signature petition to save the market and negotiated with the council to find a new site.

The 70 traders were eventually given planning permission to use the Commercial Road site, next to McDonald’s.

Strood Market has existed for 30 years and is open for business on Tuesdays and Saturdays.