A “TACKY” market in Southampton city centre is hurting trade and should be abandoned, according to shopkeepers in East Street.

Retailers in the street of independent shops say footfall plunges on days when the market operates as customers get waylaid by the Below Bar stalls.

They also branded the market “downmarket” and claimed it let down the city centre.

Stalls at the Bargate Markets, which recently had a licence extension until 2011, range from fruit and veg to arts and crafts with a regular Friday event and a different selection on every Saturday of the month.

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Rashmi Chande, of the East Street Traders’ Association said: “Human nature being what it is, people get snared by what they see in the market and don’t bother to come down East Street. It is certainly reducing the footfall. The days when they are operating are much quieter.

“The other thing is the duplication of trades, particularly in catering and food, but also coffee sellers and florists. Their stall charges are very low, they don’t pay rates and their site is superior, so they are not competing on a level playing field.”

“The traders are resigned that the council won’t take much notice of them. The market was thrust upon us without consultation and I think it’s misguided. The traders want it closed.

“I think it’s a bit tacky. It’s a downmarket market if you like and it’s not suitable for a vibrant city centre.”

Anthony Jones, owner of East Street bakery Plested Pies, said: “I’ve got a loyal customer base but the market has an impact on everybody and it’s been allowed to grow out of all proportion. It has an adverse effect on the street and draws trade away.

“I also think you need a level of quality with a market and I don’t think it has that. You have WestQuay as the city’s flagship and then you allow that sort of thing.”

Ian Welland, city centre manager, said: “I don’t share the view that the footfall is reduced because of the market. I’d need to see evidence of that. I think it does bring trade to East Street but I do think the street needs more promotion and we are working on that.”

A Southampton City Council spokesman said; “The Bargate Market provides a mix of interesting stalls that help to draw more shoppers down to the High Street and surrounding area. The council monitors stalls to ensure that the items that they sell do not overlap too much with the offering of retailers in the local area.

“The council welcomes any discussion with the traders and is happy to look at any opportunities with them to improve this important part of the city.”