GRAYSHOTT Market looks to have been saved if a compromise agreement can be reached with with shopkeepers.

The Square Events Group will be applying to run seven markets, instead of nine in 2016.

The decision to suspend the Saturday market in the village square was taken at a public meeting last month after some permanent shopkeepers reported a sharp downturn in takings on market days because it displaced regular customers.

The success of the market in bringing more people into Grayshott at the weekend also put pressure on car parking and traffic management. The cancellation of the Hoppa Bus bringing shoppers from Liphook and Bramshott, costing £2,000 a year, was also a factor in the decision to stop the market.

But the Square Events Group announced last week it would be applying to the parish council, which owns The Square, to run seven markets.

David Williams, one of the market co-ordinators, told The Herald: “We think we have taken into account the objections raised by certain BIG (Buy in Grayshott) retailers.

“We propose to reduce the number of markets from nine to seven, improve the signposting to more parking spaces on market day and offer free manned stalls to Grayshott retailers. We hope that these changes will swing the balance with BIG and enable them to enjoy market day too. We await their response.”

Grayshott Parish Council ChairmancJohn Frankcom wrote an open letter published in last week’s Herald, urging all parties to come to an agreement prior to council meeting on Monday, when the council will decide whether to grant a licence or not.

He said: “Now we have all had the two-year experience of the market with these conflicting outcomes a way forward needs to be found and the parish council believes the two parties in dispute over its continuation should themselves identify the solution.”

Mr Williams said subject to the council’s decision the first of the 2016 markets was being planned for April 16 and “many tentative bookings from regular stallholders” had been taken hoping it will continue.

“Naturally we want to continue with the market for the benefit of all in Grayshott, but if the council decides against it then we will of course abide by their decision and that will be the end of what was a very successful local market.”

He added: “We believe unanimously the market continues to have great potential to help traders, and that we must work together with them, not separately.

“We believe working closely with BIG and the shopkeepers it represents will bring new and creative ways of promoting shopping and businesses in Grayshott. Some good ideas have already been suggested to us, and we have some of our own.”

The group is inviting Buy In Grayshott traders to appoint representatives to join in with planning and organisation the market.

It is also reducing the number of hot food outlets to allow the new Village Café to get off to as good a start as possible.

Offers on the table are: giving shopkeepers up to five free stalls to sell and promote their produce – providing people to man the stalls if needed; looking for more off street parking on market day; providing signposting for parking; and finishing the market half an hour earlier at 2.30pm so The Square is clear by 3pm for the last part of trading.

Mr Williams added the Square Events Group exists solely to make use of The Square, to serve the village for its ongoing benefit. It was run entirely by volunteers and all money made through organising the market was ploughed back into supporting local charities.