Independent businesses in East Oxford are set to establish a weekly farmers’ market to bring more customers to the area.

The Plain Traders Association, with represents about 35 businesses at the top of Cowley Road, wants to establish the food and community market in Dawson Street.

It would be held every Saturday in Dawson Street, offering organic and non-organic fruit and vegetables. Space would also be available for local residents who wanted a stall to sell unwanted possessions.

Traders are complaining about rising rents and falling custom in the Cowley Road.

Erica Steinhauer, who runs fancy dress and vintage clothing shop Bead Games, said her takings had fallen by about 15 per cent in the past 12 months while some businesses in the area have had to cope with rent increases of up to 60 per cent.

In 2007 Bead Games was one of three independent retailers which announced it would be pulling down the shutters, with Coopers Newsagents and jewellery shop Uniki closing last year.

However Bead Games was eventually saved after adding a range of sweets and confectionery to its stock Ms Steinhauer said: “This could make the difference between survival or not for many business. We’re keeping calm and carrying on but I have never seen trading conditions like it in 23 years and everybody is feeling it.

“This initiative would be great for local people who wanted to get fresh produce and could go a long way to saving businesses in this area of Cowley Road.”

Joanna Bennett-Jones, landlady of the Cape of Good Hope pub, said: “We really need to increase the footfall in this area of the Cowley Road and we think this will bring more people here, which will be good for us.

“In the past six months there has been a lack of people coming to the area and with the carnival being cancelled as well, we just want to bring some life back to the road.”

After Dawson Street was closed to cars in 2007, the city council’s east area committee and licensing committee agreed to allow it to host street markets and community events.

However after a mix-up it has emerged that the paperwork was not processed correctly and the council is planning to fast-track the application to give the it consent for street trading.

Traders would like to get the market open this summer or in time for a festive market this Christmas at the very latest.

It would be the area’s second farmers’ market after the one held at the Asian Cultural Centre in Manzil Way.