Wantage retailers are having “sleepless nights” over plans to expand pedestrianisation in the town centre which they warn will “kill” their businesses.

The proposals, which are under consultation, would increase the car-free zone in the western end of Market Place by seven metres, remove six parking spaces, and relocate the two disabled parking spots and the taxi rank.

Business owners claim the changes will reduce footfall and affect deliveries.

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“I’m having sleepless nights because of this”, said Rob Corlett, the owner of Dolphin Gallery. “It would kill my business and this is my life savings.”

“All of us support pedestrianisation if it’s properly planned, but it will compact that whole area and it is going to get massively congested.

“I rely on my customers to get close. I’m selling expensive artwork that is heavy and large and they don’t want to carry it 400 yards if it's winter and raining.

“I have also got deliveries – big glass sheets are delivered twice a week – and there is no way an HGV is getting into that area.

“It’s such a badly conceived piece of planning that will just never work and it’s massively putting the businesses at risk.”

Part of the western end of Market Place – around Alfred Street and Church Street - is already car-free, but the pedestrianised zone would be enlarged under these new plans by Wantage Town Council.

As well as Mr Corlett, several traders have opposed the expansion plans.

The owners of Creations gift shop, Coleman & Coleman Jewellers, Marmalade cafe, Blackbird Bar, The King Alfred's Head pub, and Wantage Motorist Centre all claim they could be affected.

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Steve Taylor, chairman of the Wantage Chamber of Commerce, a voluntary organisation which represents businesses in the town, said he didn’t see rhyme or reason for the change.

He said: “There’s no reason considering what they’re going to use that space for.

“If it was the case of there being a market twice a week, then businesses would understand, but they are going to lose out on customers who cannot park and it will affect their deliveries.

“Why would you expand something you’re not using at the moment?”

The town council claim the expansion plans are a result of needing to meet highway rules rather than any desire to increase the closed-off area.

Town Clerk Bill Falkenau said: “The proposed scheme has been developed by consultants on behalf of the town council in liaison with county council officers to meet national rules and guidelines, particularly with regard to safety…

“The scheme proposed was the best the consultants could come up with given the physical restrictions in that area.”