A FISHMONGERS is to return to Oxford's Covered Market in 2019, according to a leading member of the historic attraction's traders' group.

Shoppers were stunned in November 2017 when Haymans, a presence in the market for 225 years, shut up shop.

The Alden family, which ran Haymans since 1989, decided to close its popular market stall and focus its operations at the Fishmarket, part of Osney Food Shed, in the Osney Mead industrial estate in West Oxford.

Haymans pulled out just a month after the Westgate Centre opened in October 2017.

Now, more than 12 months on, a fishmongers is to return to the market, which first opened in 1774 to get messy meat stalls off city centre streets.

Graham MacDonald, of iScream gelateria, who is a director of the Covered Market Tenants' Association, said: "I am 99 per cent certain that a fishmongers will return in 2019.

"I am very confident about it - I understand that an agreement has been reached and it's possible that the lease has been signed already.

"It was hugely disappointing when Haymans left but now we are in a good place with the prospect of a fishmongers returning."

Mr MacDonald said a series of initiatives by market landlords, Oxford City Council, meant market traders were in a much better position than they were 12 months ago.

He added: "New traders have come in, including Souvlaki Brothers, The Oxford Soap Company and the new micropub, and footfall is definitely up.

"The council has installed footfall counters at some of the entrances so we are able to analyse footfall trends."

As well as Haymans, other long-serving traders including Hedges butchers and Macsamillion shoe shop also left.

But the council took the decision to divide up empty units and this has attracted new businesses.

Mr MacDonald said he expected the new fishmongers to be situated in part of the former Haymans unit, which has been divided up.

He added: "There is a very positive feel in the market now and the CMTA has a number of new directors who are prepared to work with the council in a way that perhaps did not happen before - there is constant dialogue.

"Splitting up the bigger units has been a smart move which has seen results - the market was at a low ebb but we are on the way back up, with the support of the council - the arrival of the new fishmongers will be welcomed by shoppers."

Eight new shops, including pop-ups, opened at the market in the run-up to Christmas.

They included The Oxford Soap Company, a local independent company offering hand-made cosmetics and Fedele Oxford, an Oxford-based business offering high-quality leather goods.

Pop-up shops included The Garden opening a store in the former Hedges Butchers’ unit, selling festive gifts, and Cardews of Oxford opened a pop-up in the former Foot Foundation unit, selling kitchenware and Christmas gifts.

Bonner’s Fruit and Vegetables expanded into the former newsagent’s unit, selling nuts and Christmas produce.

Fifty eight of the market’s 61 units were occupied in the run-up to Christmas, and the total number of units will increase to 63 once the work to the former Haymans unit is complete, and to 65 once the work to the former McCarthy’s unit is complete.

The council has installed new benches outside Pieminster, and in the central square near the Golden Cross entrance. The owners of Souvlaki Brothers have also installed new benches outside their unit.

About £3.1m is being invested by the council in the Grade II-listed market. The investment includes £1.8m to secure the roof for another 60 to 80 years, and £1.3m for internal refurbishment, decorations and new flooring.

Mary Clarkson, executive board member for the city centre, said the market 'looked incredible' in the run-up to Christmas.

City council spokeswoman Lauren Edwards said: "We can confirm that we are in talks with a fishmonger."