BUTTER Street residents have reacted angrily to claims they are jeopardising the future of the Farmers' Market by leaving their cars parked in the road.

On behalf of residents, Edward Lea said they disagreed with accusations by former Court Leet member Maurice Abney-Hastings in last week's Chronicle that residents who regularly parked near the town hall were affecting the monthly market.

"No-one, and I repeat no-one, in Butter Street expressed any opposition to the Farmers' Market - many have in fact liaised directly with the company which sets out the stalls and have agreed parking arrangements with them," he said.

"Had Mr Abney-Hastings consulted the market organiser or residents, he would have been aware of this."

Mr Lea said the assertion that residents were regularly asked to move their vehicles but did not do so was untrue, adding he personally had never been asked or reminded.

He said the only notification he received of arrangements for the first market had been a year ago and he had not been contacted since.

He also dismissed the claim that parking problems on St Nicholas' Night had caused two stallholders to turn away and argued there were few stalls and plenty of room for more, including Henley Street, around the town hall, Church Street and High Street, which were all closed to traffic.

Mr Lea said it was unfortunate the market was struggling but denied difficulties were caused by "selfish NIMBYS", as suggested by Mr Abney-Hastings, and instead blamed the problems on a lack of organisation.

"Anyone with any business sense or knowledge of marketing would realise this market is not in the commercial centre of town, the area is inconvenient to all involved, there is no room for future expansion and consideration has to be given to access for emergency vehicles," he said.

"The goods for sale are largely luxuries, not essentials, and are priced accordingly and no-one is going to use it for their main shopping."

Mr Lea said residents felt a more appropriate place for the market was on the central car park, where there was room for many stalls, adequate parking, public toilets and more passing trade to benefit both the market and surrounding shops and businesses.

He added: "The whole project has simply not been researched, thought through, or managed in a proper, professional manner."