FEARS that Devizes Thursday market is losing popularity have been dismissed by Wiltshire Council.

The town council asked for a report after concerns were raised about a perceived steady decline in the number of people visiting the stalls over the past year.

But Wiltshire's events manager Pete White told town councillors last week that the outdoor market continued to be very popular. He said: "We currently have 30 traders at the market. In August 2016 we had 28 and so we have seen growth as well as turnover of traders."

He did acknowledge that markets nationally were experiencing many challenges and this included a decline in the overall trader numbers, increased competition from discount retailers, out of town shopping and internet shopping.

Mr White said: "Devizes outdoor market continues to be very popular. Both the public and traders are providing regular positive feedback.

Members were also worried about The Shambles indoor market which last year underwent a major change with lock up units introduced at the the top end of the hall.

Mr White said that all of the units were now let but he accepted that on some days the lower end of the hall where people can take stalls on a less regular basis was sometimes quite empty.

A Wiltshire Council report said: "The Shambles Market has seen lower visitor numbers over the last year but we have attracted a number of new unit holders.

"The council believes that in the long term supplying a consistent offering throughout the week with the correct products will see an increase in people shopping in the Shambles."

Mr White was asked if the council could do more to advertise the Shambles market in a bid to get more customers. He said that the council did advertise when it could but was encouraging traders to do more on social media.