Ellesmere Port Market welcomes hundreds at Comic Con event

There was a host characters meeting fans during the day including Batman, Poison Ivy, Star Wars characters, Superhero's plus Mario & Yoshi.

A popular Cosplay Competition featured a wide range of spectacular costumes ranging from anime characters to Spiderman and Captain America.

Liverpool based author James Lefebure was signing copies of his two books The books of Sarah and The God in the living room. James, originally from Aberdeen was also mysteriously including a sachet of tomato soup with each book, explaining it was a reaction to an Amazon review.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: "This has been one of the most popular events we have ever held at the market. It shows that there is great potential for events and activity in the town centre as we move forward with our exciting regeneration plans - specifically the plans to invest in the market hall and the flea market. This work has already started, with the new murals and the opening of a soft play area for children."

James Lefebure at Ellesmere Port Market. (Image: Cheshire West & Chester Council)

Traders on the day included:

• The Toy Cupboard - Toys & Collectables, Pokemon Cards, Mystery Bags & more.

• Clecktibles - selling a huge range of Funko Pops and more.

• Tom Hall - Well known Fan Art Artist selling his Original Artwork and Prints.

• Mini Verses - Unique Framed Figures, Minifigures and collectable cards.

• Character Vault - Liverpool based suppliers of modern & vintage Comics.

• Lightgun Games - selling Retro Games & gaming goodies.

• Crit Happens Dice - supplying TTRPG items including handmade dice, campaign books, dice jails and much, much more.

• Emily Megan Art - is a Cheshire based artist selling her fantastic art prints.

Tom Hall at Ellesmere Port Market. (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

Plans for the market include introducing new windows to let more light into the building, installing photovoltaic solar panels to generate green energy, green walls and better insulation, making it a more attractive destination and increasing its use of renewable energy.

There are also plans to include new business-start up space and Changing Place standard toilets to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and their carers. Upgrades to the flea market area will create a new flexible event space allowing for a wide range of events to attract new people into the town centre, and also encourage new users to discover the market.

The plans also include a safe cycle route from the station to the market hall plus new secure cycle parking. The aim is to encourage 'active travel' by making it easier and safer for people to walk or cycle helping to reduce congestion and encourage people to make short journeys on foot or by bike which can also help their health.

The total investment of £14.8 million includes plans to unlock development of new homes in two sites at the Civic Offices and at the junction of McGarva Way and Coronation Road. The aim will be to demolish empty or redundant buildings and then work with developers to build new first-time buyer or family homes. The new footfall generated by these new residents will help local shops and should help stimulate new business growth such as cafes and more night-time activities.