THE Farmers' Market in Frogmoor has announced its closure after organisers complained Wycombe District Council did not allow them to display advertising signs.

Thames Valley Farmers’ Market has announced its High Wycombe slot which has run for the past six months will no longer continue due to limited numbers of people attending.

Market Manager Diane Harker said the lack of footfall was because nobody knew it was there as they were not allowed to advertise the market on signs as people entered Wycombe.

She said: “We had hoped to attract customers from the surrounding area but, in the event, were not able to promote the market as we wished due to restrictive council policies on the use of signs.”

She said they wanted to put standard signs at gateways to the town, including Marlow Hill, a few days before the monthly meeting and they would take them down immediately afterwards.

Mrs Harker, from Maidenhead, said: “They just weren't having any of it. Wycombe District Council enforce the rules more strictly. Not many people could find us and people just happened to stumble upon it.

“If they wanted the market they have got to be a bit more bending towards facilitating us. Stallholders have got to make enough money to make it worth their while.”

Initially there were 18 market stalls but this number dropped to four in February and six in March as there were not enough people visiting the stalls.

The market was launched in September 2009 with support from the High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership who were instrumental in trying to revive the farmers’ market in the town centre.

Spokesman for WDC Leanne Watson said: “We are disappointed to hear that the High Wycombe Farmers’ Market is due to leave Frogmoor after a six month trial period in a bid to help revitalise the Frogmoor area.

“We have worked closely with the market traders to maximise trade in the area and during this time the market has complemented what the town has to offer.”

Mrs Harker said she would like to thank the customers who supported the market. The nearest TVFM in the area is at Beaconsfield every fourth Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm at Windsor End which has been there for eight years.