FRUSTRATED businesses in Abingdon have set up a group to rival the town’s Chamber of Commerce.

About 40 traders formed the breakaway organisation amid claims the chamber, which represents four of about 600 town businesses, did not stand for their views.

The Choose Abingdon Partnership, a group set up to attract more visitors to the town and funded by the town, district and county councils — as well as the chamber itself — has orchestrated the move.

The partnership’s manager, Heather Brown, said it was “essential a group existed that represented businesses and could link with the partnership”. Mrs Brown said: “This is a very exciting time for Abingdon’s businesses.

“The Chamber of Commerce only represents a handful of the town’s 600 traders and businesses had become very unhappy.

“Until there was group which stood for traders it was going to be impossible to move forward.”

At a meeting at the Kings Head and Bell on Thursday, 36 of 40 traders voted in favour of establishing the group, which will be given a name in the coming weeks.

Mrs Brown said: “The atmosphere at Thursday’s meeting was very positive, there were a lot of ideas flowing and we want as many people as possible to join.”

Terri Boswell, joint chamber president, said she was “disappointed” at the decision.

Vale of White Horse District Council spokesman Alistair Warburton the new organisation would be recognised as a legitimate body.