PETERSFIELD'S market traders say they would rather run the market themselves than suffer under a private contractor.

Of the 20 traders operating in The Square, not one would support the moves proposed by former town manager Gareth Price.

Market representative John Jewell, who has run a hardware and vacuum cleaner stall for eight years, said Mr Price's comments that the market was shabby and poorly merchandised were "a joke".

The plan was first put forward at a meeting of the central area community committee when East Hampshire District Council was asked to consider the use of an external manager at the twice-weekly markets in The Square.

Mr Price said the market was "surviving but not thriving" and suggested that the option of privatisation should be looked into. It is thought that Southern Market Traders might be interested.

The proposals created much discussion in Petersfield and the town council has set up a working party to consider the idea.

But Mr Jewell said the traders felt left out and believed they should have a major say.

He said: "Gareth Price is saying that the market is scruffy, untidy and not very well stocked or represented, which is a joke.

"He is also saying that none of the stalls has a uniform colour or size but there is not a market run by Southern Market Traders that has a uniform colour or size.

"We like the variety of stalls that exist on the Petersfield Market. It is part of the character. It is simply a fact that retail is suffering at the moment."

Mr Jewell said traders would rather run the market themselves than risk a decline in income and a rise in rates if a private contractor were introduced.

He said: "Our fear is that if someone like Southern Market Traders comes in, they will bring in their own group of buddies and offer them special rates.

"What we would like to say is that if EHDC is going to consider the idea of bringing in a contractor, then consider us as a contractor as well. We could run the market and make sure everyone is paying the same rates."

The traders, through the reps, have been in discussions with East Hampshire District Council. A meeting will be held on August 31 to discuss the proposals.

Mr Jewell said no traders would back plans for a contractor to take over the market and said many were happy with the existing arrangement with EHDC.

He said: "I carried out a survey of all the traders to see who would be in favour of a contractor coming in. About three decided not to vote but the rest were against the idea.

"When a private contractor comes in to manage a market he wants to make money, so the prices go up.

"There are pros and cons to having a contractor take over a market, but for every pro there are many, many cons."

He added: "We are happy with the arrangement we have with EHDC. Under the district council we get more consideration.

"At the moment if there is a problem we can go to the manager or, if there is no response, call the office. It is a good working relationship."

Many traders also believe the sale of the market to Petersfield Town Council would be a bad idea. Mr Jewell said the same idea had had a detrimental effect on Alton's market.

He said Petersfield market could do with a few improvements but stressed that traders want to see it stay the way it is.

"We could do with a few changes, like getting a power supply on The Square to take away the noise from the generators, but there are plans for this in Hampshire County Council's transport strategy.

"I don't think we should start changing the market. It is the devil we all know and the customers know us. The council is getting its profits and we are happy."

Mr Jewell is also pointing to a point of law raised when Fareham Town Council had a market on its car park that was run by contractors.

It was discovered that an outside contractor is not allowed to run a council market on a highway. Petersfield traders are now saying that The Square is a highway.

Petersfield Town Council's working party is considering the issue.