OXFORD’S Covered Market was shut on Sunday because there were not enough fire marshalls to ensure it was safe, it emerged last night.

The closure came just days after site owner Oxford City Council announced the trial of opening on Sunday had been made permanent.

And it left furious traders branding the situation a ‘farce’ that had cost them thousands of pounds in takings.

A council employee refused to open the gates on Sunday morning after an unannounced check revealed there were not enough trained marshalls on duty. Their job is to stand at market entrances if the fire alarms go off and direct customers to safety.

Last night John Partington, a director of the Covered Market Traders Association, admitted shopkeepers may have been “partly” to blame for the closure because 16 marshalls provided by traders had not been there.

But he questioned why the council chose to enforce the regulations on Sunday, costing businesses thousands of pounds in lost trade.

Mr Partington, who runs Chocology chocolate and drinks shop, described the closure as a “debacle and a complete farce”.

He said: “About 70 staff turned up to run about 20 businesses and the council refused to open the gates.

“Staff who had been hired to come in for the day were left standing around, and cooked food had to be chucked in the bin.

“It’s a contractural obligation (under the lease) for the council to provide a certain number of fire marshalls to man the gates each day, and 18 months ago the traders agreed to help the council with this as a gesture of goodwill.

“Those 16 individuals were not there on Sunday, so what happened is perhaps partly the fault of traders, but we want to know why the rules have been enforced on just this one day.”

The council may now hold an emergency meeting with traders to ensure there is no repeat this coming Sunday.

Colin Cook, executive member for the city centre, said it was “regrettable” that the market failed to open on Sunday.

He added: “Clearly we have to stand by health and safety requirements but if someone has been too officious then we will talk to them.

“I am happy to hold a meeting with traders and I am confident that the market will open on Valentine’s Day.”

Mr Partington said: “I probably lost at least £200, but on Sunday – Valentine’s Day – it could be a lot more.

“Traders are angry about this because they were left standing in the street looking like idiots.”

Samantha Demant, of Jemini flower shop, added: “Valentine’s Day is one of our busiest days of the year so the market must open.

“Traders need assurances from the council this is not going to continue.”

A council spokesman said it would work with relevant parties to try to avoid a repeat.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk