Towns' markets could be run by outside company

The council says it wants to support stallholders by investing in the markets

The running of weekly markets in two Oxfordshire towns could be taken over by a commercial business in a bid to make them "bigger, better and more successful", a council has said.

Open-air markets are held in Chipping Norton on Wednesdays and Witney on Thursdays and Saturdays.

But West Oxfordshire District Council said it was looking to hire a commercial market operator to "drive forward improvements to both markets".

Residents have been asked to share their views on how the outdoor events could be improved.

Part of plans to improve the events include creating a number of themed markets at Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre, in Witney.

Duncan Enright, the council's deputy leader, said events like Witney's Christmas Market had been popular in the past.

"Our markets are what make our towns special, the clue is in the 'market towns' name," he said.

"We have a real opportunity to improve the experience and perception of our markets for residents and visitors."

Mr Enright said the authority valued existing stallholders "very highly" and wanted to "support them and new traders to make the markets bigger, better and more successful".

He said: “We have a real opportunity to improve the experience and perception of our markets for residents and visitors.

"With funding from the government, we can invest in our open markets and improve the town centre’s retail and service sector."

A survey where residents can make suggestions about the events can be found on the authority's website.