Small shops in Witney are forming their own network to fight the threat posed by multinational chainstores.

Ten independent businesses in the town have already agreed to join the Witney Independent Retailers' Association.

The catalyst for the shopkeepers banding together is the Marriotts Close development, due to open next year.

Stores such as Monsoon, Accessorise, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer have already signed up to become part of the £50m new development on the town's former football ground.

Trader Jeanne Chattoe, who runs the Renaissance fashion shop, in Wesley Walk, and instigated the group, said: "With the forthcoming influx of multi-nationals at Marriotts Close, many independent retailers are most concerned about how this is going to affect their business.

"This will affect a whole spectrum of shops, some of whom are already struggling due to the retail slump, summer flooding and high business rents and rates.

"While nothing can be done now about the development in the town centre, we can, by joining together, have a louder voice in the affairs of Witney."

Proprietor of Rosa Floral Designs, Rosa Ashby, who has also joined, said: "Our fear is that the multiples will infringe on our trade.

"I don't think the general public realise how dire it is getting for us. We give the personal service you won't get elsewhere and local people have just got to support our independents, otherwise we won't be there for them."

The town already has a Chamber of Trade, but Mrs Chattoe said they felt it was now time for independent shops to form their own interest group.

They have received support from the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network, which also got behind the Wake up to Woodstock campaign to breathe new life into businesses in another west Oxfordshire town.

Independents fear the influx of national stores will ratchet up rents to the point that they will not be able to afford them.

Janette Reed, of Cotswold Kids, in Wesley Walk, said: "People are lucky to still have so many independent shops but, of course, if they want to keep them they have to use them.

"Many of us are lucky to have loyal customers, but we want to get the message across that the town still has many interesting shops and you don't need to travel elsewhere."

The group's first official meeting is on Monday, May 19, from 5.30pm, at Hacketts restaurant, in Wesley Walk.

Nine businesses have already signed up, and organisers hope all 40+ independents in the town centre will eventually join.

For more details, call Mrs Chattoe on 01993 848539.