MUSICIANS and street performers will join shoppers and market stallholders on Saturday to celebrate the launch of a new look for Witney’s Buttercross Market.

Colourful new gazebos will adorn the Market Square on Saturday as part of a project by West Oxfordshire District Council, supported by the traders, to improve the market’s appearance.

Keith Davies, from Burford, who has run a flower and plants stall at the market since the 1960s, has been trialling one of the gazebos and is delighted with them.

He said, “They look good and have smartened up the market. I think it attracts more people to come here. The general situation has changed a lot over the years, with markets being affected by supermarkets and discount stores.

“We were beginning to lose momentum, but I’m really pleased that the council has given us a nudge and pulled it all together again. I’d like to congratulate them, as we have more traders and a good turnout now.”

As well as improving the visual appearance of the market, the gazebos are easy to put up and take down and have side panels which can be lowered during cold and wet weather to keep out wind and rain.

David Harvey, the council’s cabinet member for environment, who is responsible for markets, said, “The past few years have been difficult for many market traders, but we’re now welcoming a number of new stallholders and firmly believe that Witney Market is on the up.”