NEXT week Royston Town Council will decide whether it wants to run the twice-a-week market. Its joint bid with the Royston Town Centre Forum has been accepted by North Herts District Council, which has wanted to privatise the operation in a cost-cutting

NEXT week Royston Town Council will decide whether it wants to run the twice-a-week market.

Its joint bid with the Royston Town Centre Forum has been accepted by North Herts District Council, which has wanted to "privatise" the operation in a cost-cutting exercise.

The decision, obviously, will depend on whether the terms of the contract will be worthwhile. In other words, whether the district council will still making a contribution towards running the market.

Members will be examining the "deal" during a behind-closed-doors session before deciding whether to accept the contract.

To take on running the market, however, has to be seen as a risk rather than a reckless gamble.

The publication soon of the Royston Town Centre strategy, and the hopes of the Royston First project make the market key to the rejuvenation of the town centre.

It is a risk that may now seem worth taking, but it may take some time before the market is revived to the days of the past.