High Wycombe's “dwindling” market needs major rejuvenation and investment – but Wycombe District Council’s response to pleas for action have been branded “disappointing”.

Councillors have been complaining for months about the state of the town’s market – which is privately run – amid concerns it going “downhill” with a lack of variety and stalls.

In a bid to tackle the problems, High Wycombe town committee suggested options for an international food market be investigated and suggested it was not a good idea to open it for an extra day for more hot food sales.

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But cabinet’s response to the suggestions have been criticised for being “weak” by an opposition councillor at their meeting on Monday night.

Cabinet said it would “note” the committee’s suggestions and would “continue to welcome discussions with the operator”.

Their report added that they “remain open to exploring international food market opportunities”.

Cllr Matt Knight said: “I’m disappointed that this seems quite a weak response. We have heard this evening that there is concern about the market.

“We need to see some really concrete action and this seems to be saying ‘we will continue to think about it’. We must see some clear action.

“At the last cabinet meeting we saw a really impressive presentation about the development aspirations for the town. I really want to see some clear actions and I’m left a bit disappointed.“I would like some reassurance for the people of High Wycombe that something concrete and measurable will be done to bring life back to the market.”

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE agreed the whole market needs “revamping”. She said: “We have put a lot of money into the market – we paid for new stalls about six years ago and new coverings and they seem to have all disappeared.“We seem to have some stalls with no coverings at all. It needs a bit more TLC and hopefully we can get it to regenerate.”

Fellow councillor David Johncock said that one way to regenerate the market could be to look at making it a covered market. Similar covered markets – like in Oxford – have been a major attraction for shoppers and tourists.

Cllr Johncock said: “Part of it is weather dependent and if it was covered, it might make it more attractive to people coming into the town.”

In response, Cllr Steve Broadbent, who is responsible for economic regeneration, said it could be considered. He said: “We are not closing down any options and it may include some of the physical future investment we want to see.

"There is space under some of our historic buildings like the Guildhall and the Little Market House that perhaps we could be innovative about.

"People need to come in for an experience and the market is very much a part of that. We do want it to be a place to visit and be a social entity as well but it’s also important to the fabric of our town so it is high on the agenda.

"Everyone wants to see the best for the market. We will carry on to deliver a good future for it.”