BURNHAM’S Farmers’ Market could be moved to another site as it is causing “mayhem” in the town, it has been claimed.

Cllr Neville Jones has told members of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council’s projects committee that the market should be moved to Adam Street to relieve the chaos it brings to the town between 8am and 3pm in its current location on the High Street.

The High Street has to be closed between Adam Street and Cross Street – a distance of around 50 metres – which Cllr Jones says causes problems in the town.

He said the benefits the market brought to the town were questionable and that some shops actually lose business as a result of the disruption caused by the road closures.

He told the meeting that moving the market to the side of the amusements and Co-op Funeral Services would be better as the road widths were similar and would allow the traders the same amount of space.

Sarah Milner Simonds, a farmers’ market supporter who runs Burnham’s Food and Drink Festival, said: “Neville did have some strong views about moving the farmers’ market.

“He seemed to suggest it was causing problems for some traders due to the road closures.

“I think it should stay in the High Street as it’s an important part of the retail mix of the town and it only happens once a month.”

Steph Keeble, chairman of Somerset Farmers’ Markets, said: “It doesn’t cause mayhem.

“Yes, people are putting up canopies but that’s not a problem as I can see.

“In fact I have asked a lot of traders in the High Street and they are pro us.

“However we happy to discuss possible future sites as long as there is the footfall and visibility we need.

“We don’t cream off the town and then go away and leave the town’s people unhappy.

“We are a community event and we want to serve the town.”

The issue will be discussed again at the projects committee on October 20.

Steph Keeble has been invited to attend and put her views to the members.