A SUNDAY trading trial at Oxford’s Covered Market is being extended until the end of January.

Earlier this year, traders in the historic market agreed to a four-month trial, which was launched on May 17.

Under the arrangement, it was agreed that if the trial was considered a success, Sunday trading at the market off High Street could be made permanent.

But in July, it emerged that only 50 per cent of the 52 traders had taken part, and the Covered Market Traders’ Association was told by the council the trial would not be considered a success unless at least 70 per cent of traders joined in.

Now, the CMTA has reached an agreement with the council to extend the trial until after the New Year, when a final decision will be made.

Chris Farren, who runs a cake shop in the market and is head of the CMTA, said: “Traditionally Sunday trading starts in the Market in mid-November and continues in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

“We felt it would be silly to stop Sunday trading now for a few weeks and then start it up again.

“The CMTA approached the council to ask if the trial could be extended until January.

“At the moment, it is probably still 50/50 in terms of the number of traders who are opening up on Sunday, because not everyone wants to work seven days.

“But I think you will find that more or less every trader in the market will be open when it gets closer to Christmas.”

In the last rent agreement between the council and market traders, there was a 10 per cent discount awarded for restrictive trading, which includes Sunday trading.

Some traders fear they will lose that discount if the market opens seven days a week on a permanent basis.

Mr Farren added: “We still need to have further discussions with council officers regarding the financial arrangements for Sunday trading.”

The traders’ leader said he believed a £100,000 refurbishment scheme, which is being jointly funded by the city and county councils, would begin before Christmas.

Colin Cook, the city council’s executive member with responsibility for the market, said: “I think it makes sense to keep Sunday trading going until the end of January, and an agreement has been reached with the traders’ association.

“The issue regarding the discount is not a simple one and needs further discussion with council officers.

“I had hoped it might be possible to have one charge for traders who want to work on Sunday, and another for those who do not, but I don’t think that is going to be possible.

“Some traders are family firms and are never going to want to work seven days — the council cannot force them to do so.”

The annual cost to the council of opening the 18th century market for Sunday trading is estimated at £30,000. Funds for the trial come from the council’s City Works budget.