LLANDOVERY market traders were celebrating following a council U-turn over redevelopment work at the town hall this week.

The first Llandovery Farmers' Market of the year had been under serious threat after scaffolding was erected around the building's perimeter, blocking all access to the arched, underside of the historic hall used by the seasonal market traders.

They claimed that carrying out work on the hall, which is to undergo a £100,000 redevelopment as part of its transformation into a public library, throughout the summer would decimate all tourist trade and threaten their very livelihoods.

But following a meeting on Monday with traders and residents, Carmarthenshire Council chiefs have agreed to back down. The authority will now push forward the scheme in two phases, continuing to work on the hall's interior over the summer months before moving work outside in October, after the hub of the tourist season has passed. All scaffolding has now been taken down. John Hoare-Wood, organiser of the Llandovery Farmers' Market, said: "This is wonderful news and a real victory for the traders. To carry out the work in two phases makes far more sense to everyone involved."

Traders had feared for the future of the popular market, which was first held in the town 300 years ago, after the council's insistence on sticking to its original plan of carrying out exterior work at the height of the tourist season, which would also affect the Llandovery Festival and the town criers competition.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers' market committee, Peter Banks said last week how he feared that unless a compromise could be reached with the council, the market would be forced to cease trading before the first stall of the year had been erected.

"It's absolutely ludicrous that the council have commissioned this work to be done at the height of the tourist season," said Mr Banks.

Farmers' market officials lobbied council representative at Monday's meeting, which was also attended by local businesses, residents and market traders.

The people in power, it seems, have listened to the plight of the people.

UP AND DOWN WEEK: Scaffolding around Llandovery Town Hall, which was later removed after traders complained to county council officers.

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