Haywards Heath traders disagree over new Saturday market
A new Saturday market in a West Sussex town has sparked disagreements between retail traders.
The market is held in The Broadway in Haywards Heath town centre and means a main road is closed to traffic.
Some traders are claiming their custom has dropped by half since the market opened on 3 September but others say it brings more people into the town.
Both sides are petitioning Mid Sussex Council who say they will call an urgent meeting to look for a solution.
'Businesses in jeopardy'
Steve Dowdeswell from Haywards Heath Cycle Centre said: "Most of our trade is done on a Saturday and that has probably halved.
"We are not against the market, we are against the road being closed - it's a main route through Haywards Heath and it causes traffic chaos.
"They [the council] are going to end up with a few more empty shops in the road - there are already four empty shops in The Broadway and they are going to put other businesses in jeopardy."
Mark Dryer owns Quality Fruits on The Broadway and also has a market stall.
"We need this market because trade is declining in the town. It's bringing a lot more people to the town," he said.
A spokesman for Mid Sussex District Council said the market had been set up to try to attract new visitors to the town and to bring in new investment.
"We are calling a meeting of all the stakeholders to look for solutions to give the market and every business on The Broadway the opportunity for success."