Work on Witney's new Marriotts Close development has now been put back to prevent disruption to the traditional Christmas shopping boom in the town.

Developers have bowed to pressure from Witney Chamber of Trade, which lobbied for a clear-run for motorists until after the peak sales period.

Instead of the scheduled start date in October, Lincoln-based Simons Developments have agreed to reschedule the beginning of work until January next year.

The key element is the Welch Way car park, one of the two major free public parking sites in the town, which had been due to shut as part of the redevelopment. This will now remain open until after Christmas.

In fact, Witney will as a result have more car parking over the Christmas period, compared to the original estimated shortfall of 173 spaces.

As well as Welch Way and the Woolgate, extra car parking is being provided at Abingdon and Witney College, Cogges Museum and the Gordon Way artificial turf pitch.

But the delayed start will inevitably mean a delayed opening of the Marriotts Close development, to autumn 2009.

Lesley Semaine, chairman of Witney Chamber of Trade, said this week: "A post-Christmas start date is fantastic news and a real bonus.

"An October 2007 start, finishing Spring 2009, would cover two Christmas periods whereas a January 2008 start, finishing Autumn 2009, only covers one Christmas.

"This is a very important trading period for businesses and we really appreciate that our concerns have been listened to."

The delay is the latest twist in the long-running saga of Marriotts Close, the former town football ground. It was originally earmarked for a new town superstore, but planners were forced into a rethink following a public protest campaign.

Agreed plans are now for a mix of shops, housing, open space and multi-story car park. Stores already signed up are Debenhams, New Look, Starbucks, Cafe Rouge, several restaurants and Cineworld, a five-screen multiplex cinema.

The overall cost has been put at £50m and Jeremy Fieldsend, spokesman for Simons Developments, said this week the delay would not impact on that.

He added: "It is not unusual to work within this kind of framework, particularly for town centre developments. Over the Christmas period construction companies would be downing tools in any case."

Concerns over car parking arose after West Oxfordshire District Council announced the go-ahead for the scheme in May this year and revealed there would be a shortfall of spaces.

It then consulted the Chamber of Trade, other local businesses, service providers and the public.

Verena Hunt, the council's cabinet member for economic development said, "The council has had a constructive dialogue with the Chamber over the proposed Marriotts Close development and we have been doing our best to address any concerns they have.

"We are therefore pleased that the start date of the main construction can be rescheduled to avoid the Christmas period."

Work, however, will still begin this autumn on the new 250-space car park in Woodford Way, the site of the former council highways depot which forms part of the Marriotts Close development. It will not be open in time for this Christmas.