News that Oxford's Covered Market was to become a listed building came as a surprise to conservation groups - they thought it already was.

The present market buildings between High Street and Market Street date from the 19th century and traders there already stick to tight guidelines about appropriate signs and shop fronts. It is in Oxford's central conservation area but it is not a listed building.

Sally Harrison, of the Oxford Preservation Trust, said: "I didn't know it wasn't listed before, I must admit. It is certainly worthy of listing.

"City council conservation officers keep a close eye on it and are aware that it's a very important feature of the city centre.

"If it is listed that will help them because it will give them more control when planning applications come in. If people want funny shop fronts or something a bit tacky it will be easier to preserve the atmosphere there."

Market traders welcomed plans to protect the market for the future by having it listed. Sandie Griffith, owner of Jemini flower shop, said: "I don't think anybody in the market has got a problem with listing because we all feel that the market should retain its beauty and not be turned into an enormous gin palace. We wouldn't want a big McDonalds sign on the front of it.

"Most of us welcome listing because by retaining the beauty of the market you retain the business."

Richard Giles, head of property for Oxford City Council, recommended members of the city management sub-committee yesterday to put the Covered Market forward for the Government to consider it as a candidate for Listed Building status.

A particular benefit of listing, he said, would be that anyone who made unauthorised changes in the market could be hit with a statutory penalty, for example a fine.

Mr Giles said the council had prepared a set of guidelines for alterations and hanging signs for market traders and these had been sent to everybody with a business in the Covered Market.

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