HOPES of saving Grayshott village market have been dashed after its parish council turned down an application to grant a licence to use The Square for the rest of the year.

The parish council, which owns The Square, was split over a decision to grant a new licence for the market after hearing representations from both the market organisers and members of Buy In Grayshott shopkeepers at a debate last month.

Parish council chairman John Frankcom made his casting vote against granting the licence after three councillors voted for and three voted against, with one abstention.

The licence application was heard following a public meeting in January when market co-ordinator Tim Wickes announced a suspension of the Saturday market during a heated two-hour meeting – at which some shopkeepers reported a drop in takings on market day claiming their regular customers were displaced.

But the market group then decided to apply to the council for a licence, coming forward with proposals to save the market, including holding seven markets a year instead of nine.

Mr Frankcom, who had previously written an open letter via The Herald urging all parties to settle their differences prior to the council meeting, said he had “erred on the side of caution given the lack of agreement and understanding on both sides” when he exercised his casting vote as chairman.

He said: “After representatives had addressed the meeting it became clear the gap between the parties had not been closed. After questioning by councillors the vote was taken and it was agreed not to grant a licence in 2016. In fact, the vote was tied but I exercised chairman’s right to create a majority which erred on the side of caution given the lack of agreement and understanding on both sides.

“That was not an easy decision to make but I believe it was the responsible one.”

The market, which wtarted in April 2014, and was held on the third Saturday of the month, between March and November, had an average of 35 stalls mainly selling locally produced food.

At its peak it attracted more than 1,000 visitors, with a special market Shoppa bus ferrying shoppers from Liphook and Headley Down, and raised £5,000 for the village youth centre.