MARKET traders in Pershore are still fuming that a pressure group meant to protect and promote small firms and the self-employed believes Asda’s arrival in the town will cause more harm than good.

Stallholders have refuted claims that they moan about low footfall in the Pershore Retail Market hall and reinforced the opinion that they are looking forward to an increase in numbers once the supermarket giant opens up its store off King George Way next month (AUG).

We reported last week how Angela Smith of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said at a recent Wychavon council meeting that she was worried for the market traders’ future because she thought their customers would just go and do their shopping at Asda instead.

However, Debbie Mason of the busy fruit and vegetable stall Ken and Jason and Daughters said the market in Cherry Orchard is thriving.

“Asda’s going to bring more poeple into the town and as far as low footfall is concerned I would like to know who Angela Smith has been talking to,” she said. “I’m a member of the FSB but after reading what she said I’m thinking of pulling out if that’s what’s going to happen.

“The market is thriving. There’s fruit and vegetables, butchers, bakers. What she said was just a load of nonsense.”