Traders in Wantage said they would be willing to open on Sundays following Wantage Rejuvenated’s launch event which attracted hundreds of people.

The campaign group, formed to boost the town’s vibrancy, said Sunday’s Market Place craft fair, opened by the town’s MP Ed Vaizey, had boosted trade for those shops which were usually closed.

A number said they were likely to open regularly on Sundays.

The group’s chairman Linda Hatter, who owns Top Hatters Gift Boutique, in Mill Street, said: “I did 500 per cent more trade on Sunday than I did on a Sunday last year. I was constantly busy.

“Lots of people visited from outside the town, which is what Wantage Rejuvenated is trying to encourage.

“For Top Hatters it was as good as a Saturday, which is my busiest day of the week.

“I used to open on a Sunday up until Christmas last year, when I had to close as it wasn’t viable to keep the shop open. I will continue to open on Sundays now.”

The campaign group, which formed in April, is made up of nine members of the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

They want to encourage Sunday trading, brighten up empty shops with artwork and lobby commercial landlords to lower rents to help shopkeepers.

It has also set up a Facebook group to keep residents updated on its plans.

Aben Allal, manager of Le Petit Pain French bakery, in the Market Place, said: “I was busy. I will open Sundays and see how it goes.”

Mayor Patrick O’ Leary said: “It was absolutely fabulous. A very positive event and lots of stallholders said they would quite happily return.”

Councillor Jenny Hannaby said: “I was quite amazed with the continual flow of people it attracted. There were hundreds there.”