A CONTINENTAL market could return to Uxbridge High Street, five trading weeks before Christmas.
Hillingdon Council has promised to consult those affected before making decision, after town centre traders were incensed by the French market which pitched its stalls just before last Christmas.
Traders were angry that ‘fly-by-night’ stallholders could swoop in and eat up takings from shoppers at a crucial time of year.
Several businesses in Uxbridge town centre reported up to a 30 per cent drop in trade on the days the market set up last September.
In the end, last year’s Christmas market ended up being a wash-out because of bad weather.
Jean Palmer, the council's deputy chief executive and director of planning, education and community services, said: “We have received an application for a four day continental market selling crafts and speciality foods and will, as with all applications of this type, be fully consulting with those affected before any decision is made."
Savoir Fayres, the company which ran last year's market, had not confirmed it was behind the latest application by time the Gazette went to press. If granted, the market would be held from November 17-20.
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