THE Covered Market is one of Oxford’s jewels in the crown.So it seems remarkable that, after just a couple of months, Sunday opening could soon become a thing of the past.

Part of the problem, it would appear, is the lack of support being shown by Oxford City Council.

Traders say they have been seeking support from the Town Hall, but claimed they were told the plug would be pulled unless 75 per cent of stallholders signed up.

At the moment there is a 50/50 split among traders.

Cash pledged by both the city and Oxfordshire County Council — £50,00 from each authority — has yet to translate into repairs to the historic market.

Perhaps most astonishingly, there has been no real push to advertise the Sunday opening.

Most residents will know about the market’s delights already.

But many others would no doubt relish the chance to browse its shops on a Sunday — if they knew about it.

The Sunday opening trial, which started in May, is due to end in September.

Unless support is shown, by traders themselves, the council and shoppers, this will be a very short-lived venture indeed.

The ultimatum seems clear to us: Use it or lose it.