A CAMPAIGN to bring back the Christmas market has been launched by the Swindon Labour Party.

Several councillors and party members, led by Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab, Walcot and Park North), took to the town centre yesterday to gather signatures for a petition supporting the market.

They were joined by MP Owen Smith, the Shadow Secretary Of State for Wales.

“I think a Christmas market could breathe new life into the town centre. We want to make it a day out for people.” said Coun Dempsey.

“We want the market to bring in people from outside town as well.

“It could be a winter version of the Mela that brings the town together.”

“The Christmas market could be part of a longer term plan to help regenerate the town centre.

“When I go out and speak to people the town centre is their number one priority”.

In November 2012 InSwindon, the town centre management firm, axed the Christmas fair due to take place in Canal Walk, after the council took action against the market in Havelock Square due to a trading ban which covers much of the town, except Wharf Green.

Talks have been taking place within the council’s licensing committee to reinstate the market but InSwindon has previously said as street sellers book for festive markets in January, a market will not be able to take place this year.

Coun Dempsey said: “I am disappointed the Conservative council have failed to organise the market.

“It’s another sign the Conservatives do not care about regenerating the town centre.

“People are very keen for the market to return. I have got 100 signatures in half an hour. If the council cannot organise one then the people of Swindon should.

“If we can’t organise a market in seven months then we might as well all give up.”

Mr Smith, the MP for Pontypridd, described claims a Christmas market could not be put on as “codswallop.”

He said: “The market is an opportunity to help regenerate Swindon. In the short time I have been here I can see there is a big groundswell of support for it.”

However, Coun Emma Faramarzi (Con, Priory Vale), who is leading the council’s markets sub-group, disputes the arguments put forward by the Labour Party.

She said: “They know we are a month away from being able to have markets back. This is a vote and headline grabbing campaign.

“I have been working on this since I became a councillor. We may not have a Christmas market this year but we can certainly have one next year.”

Coun Faramarzi said many of the Christmas traders will not be available for this year.

“I want a quality Christmas market that will improve the town not a cheap bargain bazaar they seem to want,” she said.