ANDOVER'S Chantry Centre has installed four brand new mobile retail units designed to cater for temporary traders.

Centre manager Joe Azzopardi says the new kind of 'mall merchandising' has replaced the previously ad hoc arrangement.

He said: "Over the years a situation has evolved whereby people have set up tables and stalls and these have become a bit untidy."

There was also a problem with health and safety. The original design of the new mobile units was developed in the USA but they started appearing in this country in 2000.

"Now Andover is in the vanguard of their development in this country," said Mr Azzopardi.

The new units are self-contained with cupboard space for storage and even their own sprinkler system in case of fire. Mr Azzopardi said: "They create a bit of excitement and variety and provide an extra novelty factor."

The hope is more people will be attracted into the centre, which in turn will have a knock-on effect for permanent traders.

Depending on their location within the centre, they will cost from £460 to £700 per week to hire.