Farmers' markets 'taking our trade'

Town centre butchers Walbrin and Sons and Joint Venture have hit out at plans by the Seaford Community Partnership to hold a new series of markets selling local produce.

The are particularly incensed at plans to hold three on Saturdays. Previously, it has only been Thursdays. They fear people will shop at the market stalls and ignore their shops.

Chris Walbrin, owner of Walbrin and Sons in the High Street, said: 'It is so irresponsible. All the fresh food businesses around here are struggling to make a living and these people come in here and take our trade all the traders hate it.'

But Barry Hyder, vice-president of Seaford Chamber of Commerce, said the Saturday markets should be given a chance to see what effect they had.

'Our view is to give it a try and see what happens.

'It could work both ways. It might affect some traders detrimentally, but on the other hand it might attract people into the town to see shops they never knew existed,' he said.

Last year's markets had proved hugely successful said chairman of the Seaford Community Partnership David Schueler.

However, many people could not come because they were at work or only visited the town at the weekend.

Mr Schueler said: 'A lot of people come to the beach at weekends, particularly in the summer, but do not spend any money in the town at all.

'We want to encourage them into the town and spend money in the shops.'

A public meeting on the market proposals will be held in March. In addition to the three Saturday markets there will also be six on Thursdays.