TRADERS at Witney’s twice-weekly market, are threatening to quit if business doesn’t pick up.

They say sales in September and October were down by 50 per cent compared to July and August and are blaming competition from bargain shops and the new Marriotts Walk development.

Rents, which have risen by nine per cent annually for the past two years, have also hit them.

Martin Eldridge, 43, said he paid £42.40 for his confectionary stall – compared to £22 in Abingdon.

He added: “My takings are down on a Thursday by up to 50 per cent and on a Saturday I am about 33 per cent down.

“Everybody is in the new shopping centre — the market is absolutely dead.

“Something has to be done.”

Mr Eldridge, who has had his stall for the past 20 years, added: “I am really going to struggle in January and February. I might have to sell up and go into another business – I can’t go on like this.”

West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member David Harvey, said it was anxious to help markets, which he described as the ‘lifeblood’ of towns.

He added: “In Witney, for example, we manage them to ensure there is a variety of products to broaden the appeal — for some product areas there is a waiting list of traders.”