MARKET traders in Abergavenny say redevelopment work to the town’s Brewery Yard could have a detrimental effect on trade that could result in the closure of the market.

Work on the site will start on October 14 and will see it transformed into a public area with a cafe, toilet facilities and artwork.

While the transformation takes place, traders from the town’s Tuesday market will be moved from outside the market hall to the cattle market site.

But with the £3 million facelift set to take around 15 months, many stall holders are worried customers will go elsewhere to avoid the disruption.

Robert Lewis, 45, who runs a flower stall called All Plants, said: “I think it’s going to finish the market. If traders move away they won’t come back. It’s not a good move."

Other traders say the new site is not big enough and expressed concern that it won’t be ready in time for the move.

Darren Ellaway, 41, of DE Meats, Govilon, said: “They have made no effort getting the site ready. It’s going to put people off coming and there are so many markets that once people stop coming it will be hard to get them back.”

Malcolm Peden, 54, who has travelled from Worcestershire to trade at the market for the last 30 years said moving away would be a sad day for many traders, even if it is only for a short period of time.

He said: “I have been here 30 years and it’s an end of an era really. It’s like a piece of history slipping away. It’s a shame, but what can we do?”

During the redevelopment work, signs will be put up around the town to advise visitors of the changes and minimise disruption.

But some believe the timing of the work will cause the biggest disruption.

Chairman of Llanelly community council, Adrian Edwards, said: "If the work is spread over two Christmases, it will have a big effect.

"If it was to be finished earlier, there would be savings on council tax and less disruption to local people."

Monmouthshire council area general manager, Dale Roberts, said the work is scheduled to take approximately 15 months but said it could take 12 months or less.

He added: "Everyone is aware of how important the Christmas trade is to Abergavenny."

But Ivor Barclay, 61, from Newport, who runs a shoe stall, said the redevelopment of the site was a positive investment for the future of the market.

He said traders need to support the move and see the positives like the fact that it will be close to the town’s busiest car park, which could attract a lot of trade.

He said: “It will involve disruption and upheaval but hopefully in the long term it will be worth it.”

Adrian Nelmes agreed and said he was looking forward to the move because the covered area of the cattle market might encourage more visitors when it’s raining.

The traders' view

South Wales Argus: Abergavenny Market - Steve Phillips and his sister June on their fruit and veg stall

June Phillips, 46, and her brother Steve, 50, from Pandy, have been running their fruit and vegetable stall at the market for 20 years. June said: “We think it will probably be the end of the market. We hope everyone will support us but in other town’s it hasn’t worked.

“The majority of the market will be in the old cattle market site but there is not enough room so the rest will be spread about the town.

“It is a shame because Abergavenny is a market town and always have been. People come from all over Wales to the market so if that goes, there will be no Abergavenny.

“We will still come and give it a try and do the best we can.”

South Wales Argus: Abergavenny Market - Stuart Lewis on his fruit and veg stall.

Stuart Lewis, 33, from Ebbw Vale, who runs a fruit and vegetable stall, has been coming to the market for 12 years.

He said: “It has got to be done, we have got to go somewhere but it seems there has been no effort in getting the site ready. I’ve got mixed feelings about the move, in the winter months it could work because it is covered over, but on the other hand people don’t like change.

“It will certainly effect Christmas trade and if traders aren’t making money they will go elsewhere.”

Valerie Jones, 70, from Govilon, has been visiting the market since she was a little girl.

She said: “The end result will be nice but its is going to take time. It will mess people about and there is not a lot of information about when and how things will happen. The council just need to make sure they get on and do it in time.”