COVERED Market trader Baron Robert Pouget is planning a move to a bigger stall to keep his delicious cheeses dust-free.

The Oxford Cheese Company owner has a stall located near the Market Street entrance of the historic attraction.

But Mr Pouget, a French-born Baron, who created Oxford Blue cheese, fears dust from construction traffic could blow onto his prized products.

Jesus College is launching a multi-million pound scheme to revamp Northgate House on the corner of Market Street and Cornmarket Street, with work due to start in the New Year.

Access arrangements for construction traffic have not yet been finalised but Mr Pouget said he is considering moving to a new stall to keep his produce further away from the entrance.

Baron Pouget said: “I really don’t want any dust getting on my cheeses - it’s a prestige product - and other traders with stalls near the Market Street entrance will also concerned.

“I am now considering move to the former Hedges butchers unit closer to the centre of the market.

“No one knows yet precisely how the arrangements are going to work for the Jesus College construction work but I don’t want to be in the firing line.”

Hedges closed earlier this year and is currently occupied by a festive pop-up store run by The Garden flower shop.

Baron Pouget said: “It’s possible I could move after Christmas when The Garden’s pop-up shop closes.”

The stallholder said business dropped following the opening of the Westgate Centre but takings were now back to the ‘peak’ they reached about two years ago.

Oxford Cheese Company’s shop first opened in the Covered Market in 1983.

The cheese shop was an instant hit at the time as there were very few specialist cheese stores anywhere in Britain.

In 1995, Baron Pouget began production of Oxford Blue to supply his customers, university colleges and city restaurants.

Graham MacDonald, spokesman for the Covered Market Tenants’ Association, said: “I think this could be a great move.”

Earlier this month Jesus College principal Sir Nigel Shadbolt said when construction work did start, disruption would be kept to a minimum. Access arrangements for construction vehicles have not yet been finalised for the scheme bringing new retail units.