ABERGAVENNY market traders have been assured of their immediate future after a senior officer from Monmouthshire county council said their rent will not increase until discussions have taken place later this year.

Around 40 traders met Monmouthshire county council's area services officer, Tom James, at a meeting called by the chairman of the Abergavenny branch of the Market Traders Federation, and trader Des Hillman to raise their concerns over the market earlier this week.

The concern comes after market officers carried out re-measurements of stall spaces on the site and the lack of casual traders within the market.

In a letter to traders, Mr Hillman said: "Ever since the onslaught of the foot-and- mouth epidemic and the lack of investment in this site, trade on the whole has been in decline for a number of years.

"We also note that there is a conspicuous lack of new traders or casual traders to fill all of the space available on this site.

"We feel that the level of rental is such that it would be counter- productive to make any increases for whatever reason.

"Even though on the outside the market looks full, in reality, if new measurements were to be imposed on the genuine Abergavenny traders, it would mean that some of the longest- serving traders would consider leaving.

"This market is now known to be the highest-rental mid-week market in Wales.

"We know that the trade is down drastically on previous years, and the level of rent is at a peak and would not be sustainable if any increases were introduced on this site."

Mr Hillman called on the council to assist traders in regenerating the market.

Tom James told traders that their concerns had been listened to and that no increase would be made until discussions have taken place in September.

Mr James explained that the reason for a recent assessment by internal auditors was to carry out a 'health check', to ensure that the county council are operating an efficient public service.

He confirmed that a newsletter will be sent to all traders from September, informing them what is happening within the market, and for the first time the council will advertise the market on a national level, to encourage more traders to come to Abergavenny.

He said: "This is a very good market but they are experiencing difficulties, which is a national trend, and there is a lack of casual traders."