TRADERS fighting to survive in Oxford’s most cosmopolitan road have banded together to open late in the run-up to Christmas.

Members of the Plain Traders’ Association are opening late until 8pm on Thursdays in a bid to entice shoppers to cross the river from the city centre for their Christmas gifts.

Sarah Wearden, who runs Indigo in Cowley Road, said: “Shops opened late individually last year, but this is the first time we have opened late as a group.

“More and more people are Internet shopping and although we have a very loyal customer base, Internet shopping is on the up.

“People like to talk about their independent shops, but I don’t think they are supporting them as much as they could.”

Ms Wearden admitted everyone was feeling the pinch following the nationwide recession.

She said: “We’ve got high rents, we’re in a recession and we’ve got the threat of St Clement’s car park closing. It’s not an easy time in retail.

“We know not everyone can make it to the shops during the day so we want to offer something more convenient for people.

“There is late night shopping in the city centre, and quite a lot of people go to St Clement’s to park.

“We want them to look around this area before going to town.”

Among the shops opening late will be Indigo, which sells ethical gifts, clothes and homeware, Bridget Wheatley Jewellery, Annie Sloan Interiors, Bead Games, Uhuru, Music Box, Moroccan Deli, Ead De Vie and Meli.

Annie Sloan, of Annie Sloan Interiors, said: “Cowley Road is the Notting Hill ‘bo-ho’ chic area of Oxford. It’s the international, cosmopolitan area of Oxford.

“We want to encourage shoppers into this area who might not think of coming here for Christmas shopping.

“They can time it with going for a few drinks, and maybe some tapas at the Kazbar Morrocan bar.”

Former Oxford Brookes student Ms Wearden, 40, who opened her store two years ago, said: “We’re called the Plain Traders but we like to think of ourselves as very unplain.

“We’re about the community and offering something unique and personal that won’t be found on the high street.

“These evenings are very much about us pulling together and offering convenient shopping opportunities to our community.”

Festive trade is vital for independent traders in Cowley Road, who are already fighting for their survival in the face of competetion from national chains, high rents, and plans by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s to open its first store in the street, they say.

A branch of the supermarket has already opened in The Plain.