THE face of St Martin’s Square will change forever as it goes through a major overhaul to accommodate Basildon’s sleek new market.


The Echo can exclusively reveal the timetable of works that will bring a fresh new market to the square, with St Martin’s likely to be dug up for re-paving works from next spring, while other parts of it will be re-landscaped as part of the major facelift.


Basildon Town Centre Management, the group behind the market’s move from its current base in Market Square, will also offer out free stalls to attract youngsters to pitch up in a bid to boost employment in the town.


If planning permission is given the green light by the end of the year – which the group is confident of – works will start on the square in April 2014 and will take about six to seven months to complete.


It is hoped the market will then be open to customers in early 2015.


Hans Wusterfeld, general manager of Basildon Town Centre Management, said: “There are so many youngsters in Basildon that are finding it difficult to find a job and there’s so much unemployment in the town, so we want to try and get them on the ladder.


“Several millionaires and multi-million businesses started up with their own market stall.