The move has been described as a backward step for the town by some, while others felt the markets did not have a unique selling point.

The three-day food festival was postponed this year to give the town a rest, and to give the directors time to discuss its future.

And last week the decision was made to scrap it altogether and replace it with a series of festival markets on three or four Sundays a year, depending on the success of a pilot in December.

Emsworth resident Bob Fuller said: "I think it is rather sad because the food festival has brought a lot of people into the town.

"I think the markets idea is a step backwards. If it means there were all sorts of nasty stalls, I would be sorry to see it."

Arthur Middlehurst was disappointed to see the event cancelled.

"I am very disappointed they have scrapped it," he said, "I thought it had so much going for it.

"Another market is another market so what is the big deal. It has got to be different, which is what the food festival was."

The new event will take place in the South Street car park which will mean the town can operate as normal, unlike during the food festival.

The pilot event on Sunday, December 14 will be run in partnership with market company Prod Grow.

Landlady at the Town Brewery Lois Tibbets thought it would be a good idea.

She said: "I think it will be pretty good. I would like to think it will be contained. I think it is sustainable, so long as it remains local."

Emsworth resident Stanley Cheeseman was happy to see any event take place at all.

He said: "I should think it will be successful. I cannot see anything against it. It will be nice to keep something rather than lose out altogether."

Sarah Long of greengrocers R A Tiers in High Street said: "I think the food festival was good as it was. We made it a bit of fun for the three days. A market won't have the same effect."

The plan for the festival markets received a mixed reaction when they were presented to the Emsworth Community Board at its monthly meeting in the town.

Chairman of the now scrapped Emsworth Food Festival Lulu Bowerman said the credit crunch had made the festival financially unviable.

She also expected other large food festivals such as Ludlow or Abergavenny to feel the impact on the economy sooner rather than later.

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