PAINTERS and decorators gave Oxford's Covered Market a much-needed facelift in 2009.

Traders had long complained Oxford City Council, which owns and runs the historic market, had not spent enough money renovating it.

But in November 2009, workmen started the first phase of a £100,000 project to upgrade its appearance, by cleaning and painting its four entrances off High Street.

The work was funded by the city council and Oxfordshire County Council in a joint bid to ensure the attraction remained a jewel in Oxford's crown.

The two councils each contributed £50,000 towards a catalogue of work, which was carried out after consultation with the Covered Market Traders' Association.

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The market was intensively cleaned, decorated and improvements were made to the stone facade on Market Street.

A modern fire alarm and PA system was also fitted.

Trader Sandie Griffith, who ran Jemini Flowers, said: "We have been waiting a long time for this work to start - it's long overdue.

"The entrances are a really important part of the Covered Market and they were really dire, so I am glad they have started work on them.

"You just have to look at this place to see it has been neglected for so long - the roof looks like a colander - but at least this work is a start, although it's really just scratching the surface.

"It will be interesting to see where we go after this money is all spent and how long we have to wait for another input of cash."