A campaigner says investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in a market is "simply window dressing" adding it will "make little or no difference" overall.

Watford Borough Council has approved a budget of £750,000 which will be put towards making improvements at Watford Market in the town centre.

Some of the market traders are currently "tucked away" off the high street in units near the flyover and there is a feeling from both shoppers and traders that work is needed to make the market more appealing to visitors.

Watford Observer:

Community campaigner Dennis Wharton says he has spent the last two years "tirelessly" working to save Watford Market, demanding the council re-thinks the market's future.

But although he supports "small-scale improvements", he says he would rather the council found a long-term solution rather than "waste money" right now.

Mr Wharton said: "The Liberal Democrat run council has severely neglected the market and almost everyone I speak to on the doorstep is very unhappy about the way the market has been handled.

"Our market traders deserve better than this and most say they would like a market that all Watford residents can be proud of.

"I'm not happy about the £750,000 being spent and neither are the people I've spoken to.

"Until something changes, I cannot support the market in its present form. This money is simply window dressing, and makes little or no difference to the market overall. Short-term solutions are a waste of money and the sooner a long-term solution is agreed, the better for everyone."

Read more: Dennis Wharton says 'market is dying'

Watford Observer:

The council says the money will be spent on new signage, seating, lighting, a new colour scheme, banners, gazebos, and shutters, as well as arranging for vintage markets to come to Watford on a Sunday.

The money will also go towards trialling a Monday opening, and markets on Thursday evenings (5pm-7pm) from June to September. Further announcements will be made on what else the money will be spent on.

Read more: Traders hit out at market rent hikes

A petition, totalling 250 signatures, created by Mr Wharton demands a better location for the stalls, affordable rents for both indoor and outdoor stalls, and to consider introducing a variety of stalls or specialised markets like a farmers market or French market.

The petition was submitted to the mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, in December. It was also an opportunity for Mr Wharton, who says he is an independent political figure in Central ward, but has previously stood as a Conservative councillor candidate, to discuss the market's future with the mayor - a discussion Mr Wharton later described as "detailed and hopeful".

Mr Wharton added: "The mayor listened to the issues and acknowledged the market in its present form is not as successful as it could be. He said he'll keep me informed."

Mr Taylor said: "We are a market town and I am determined to make sure that we have a thriving market in the future. Working with traders and the management company, we want to improve the look and feel of the current market with new seating and lights, better signage and visiting and vintage markets to come to Watford on a Sunday.

"I look forward to working with traders and residents to make sure our market is as successful as it possibly can be."

Read more: You tell us your views of Watford Market

The market site also falls under the council's North Hub masterplan - part of proposals to regenerate the top of Watford town centre, and the mayor has said the market will form part of the masterplan - which could bring a long-term solution.

A charter means Watford must host a weekly market.

The market is currently operated by Market Assets Management, which was awarded a contract by the council, after the council initially stepped in to save the market from closure when previous operator Town and Country Markets suffered an "act of insolvency".