THE controversial Christmas Market went ahead as planned in Uxbridge last week, but rain kept shoppers away on the first day.
Held last Thursday and Friday, the market never quite reached the busy heights predicted.
Originally intended to reach from Belmont Road all the way to the Civic Centre at the other end of the High Street, it stretched no further than The Mall Pavilions shopping centre. Its four days were also cut to two.
Friday was busier, but reaction from shoppers was mixed.
Mike Tupman-Reid, 59, of Park Road, Uxbridge, said: "I am disappointed that the market is not going on for four days. I would actually like to see it become a permanent fixture.
"Where else can you get such a variety of quality products?"
Fatin Hafeda, a student at Brunel University, said: "It is nice but pricey. It adds variety to the area, but I would like to see more crafts, which would attract more customers."
And Jennifer Dennis, 33, a graphic designer who works in Uxbridge, said: "I was anxiously waiting for the market.
"I knew I was going to get good quality food that you don't normally find in a supermarket."
Savoir Fayres, the organiser of the market, faced stiff opposition from town traders, who argued it would unfairly harm their business at a vital time of the year.
Ben Baird, a balloon seller in the High Street, said: "Trade has been terrible all round.
"The rain has put people off, and the market is not doing especially well. People just do not have the money to spend this year."
And last Friday, Frank Harris, chairman of the Windsor Street Traders' Association, said: "Trade the last two weeks has been chronic.
"I've been speaking to all the shopkeepers - all of a sudden it's gone dead. It was all right up until a couple of weeks ago.
"But the cars trying to get into The Chimes this morning showed that there were a lot of people coming into town, so let's hope we see the results of their spending."
