SHOPKEEPERS fear the vision of a new weekly market in a Suffolk town will drive away their customers.Retailers in Framlingham are concerned at plans put forward by the town council for a Tuesday market, which it is hoped will include small producers.

SHOPKEEPERS fear the vision of a new weekly market in a Suffolk town will drive away their customers.

Retailers in Framlingham are concerned at plans put forward by the town council for a Tuesday market, which it is hoped will include small producers.

The scheme is due to start on a trial three-month basis from May 14.

Town councillors who support the project hope it will attract more shoppers and improve the vitality of the town.

But some retailers are unhappy at the loss of car parking spaces in the central Market Hill area where the venture would take place.

They also resent the fact they are paying out thousands of pounds in business rates for their premises.

Keith Bartholomew, town councillor and markets committee member, who owns Carley & Webb grocery store in Market Hill, is objecting to the proposal.

"We all know that convenient parking is extremely important for all the businesses and this will discourage customers from coming into Framlingham," he said.

"The businesses around the Hill pay thousands of pounds a year in business rates and employ local people. The market traders do neither of these."