MARKET traders in Abergavenny say they want to redevelop their town centre - but have rejected a proposal for a shop where their outdoor stalls are sited.

The traders are overwhelmingly against the Brewery Yard, which is used for the outdoor stalls at the Tuesday market, being redeveloped for a new foodstore.

And one of the traders, Jeff Chick, warned: "We believe there is now a straight choice as far as this site in concerned. Either the development will take place elsewhere or Abergavenny will lose its Tuesday market and the Friday and Saturday markets will be severely endangered."

A survey carried out by the National Federation of Market Traders revealed that 97 per cent were against the Brewery Yard proposals, but 83 per cent wanted the town centre redeveloped.

Monmouthshire county council has set up a working group to look at the feasibility of redeveloping the Brewery Yard and livestock market sites in a regeneration of the town centre.

Only 32 per cent of market traders were in favour of the cattle market site being redeveloped, said Mr Chick, NMTF secretary.

He said 83 per cent of the traders who responded to the survey would look for another Tuesday market if a foodstore was built on the Brewery Yard site.

And 89 per cent of them said they supported the NMTF in looking for an alternative Tuesday venue if the council decides to develop the Brewery Yard.

Mr Chick added: "To get a true picture of traders' feelings we consulted with members and non-members for the survey and canvassed the views of both inside and outside traders.

"All traders were given the opportunity to respond to our questionnaire with the exception of casual traders who had attended for less than three markets.

"It shows that the vast majority of traders are against the development of the Brewery Yard, but 83 per cent support some sort of development.

"Surprisingly, 32 per cent of all traders support developing the cattle market site, which before the foot-and-mouth crisis would have been unthinkable."

*PICTURED: The Brewery Yard in Abergavenny which is used for an outdoor market.