TRADERS have set up stall in a pub car park in defiance of a winter ban preventing them from selling their wares in the market place.

Earlier this year Swanage Town Council decided to close its car park in Victoria Avenue to market traders between November and April, because it claimed there were not enough stalls to justify keeping it open in the winter.

But a small group of stall holders were determined to stay open and have reached an agreement with the landlord of the Red Lion, where the market used to be held, to trade from the pub's car park until the spring, when they will return to the main market site.

Vick Kardas, owner of the market's fruit and vegetable shop and a local farmer, said: "As far as we're concerned we provide a service to Swanage. Just because the council says 'no' why should we have to let our customers down?

"We were lucky enough to find another site to go through the winter, which is why we are at the Red Lion. The council cannot stop us because we are on private property."

Swanage town clerk Alan Leeson admitted the council was surprised when it heard that some stall holders had decided to relocate to the Red Lion's car park for the winter.

"We weren't aware that there was that level of support or depth of feeling from the stall holders," he said.

"From the town's perspective it's on private land and it's the owner's prerogative. It can be run for up to 28 days without having to acquire planning permission."

The landlady of the Red Lion, Karen Cattle, said she was delighted to be able to help out the stall holders and hoped it would help boost trade for other shopkeepers in the area.

First published: November 7