A COUNCILLOR in Aldeburgh has said he will not be supporting an occasional market in the town - because it is French.While other councillors said they would support the venture to bring the popular French market to the seaside town David Curry said he would go with the majority decision, but added: “Don't expect me to go to it.

A COUNCILLOR in Aldeburgh has said he will not be supporting an occasional market in the town - because it is French.

While other councillors said they would support the venture to bring the popular French market to the seaside town David Curry said he would go with the majority decision, but added: “Don't expect me to go to it.”

He added: “I avoid all French stuff I can.”

Mr Curry said he was not against the idea of an occasional market in the town, but would have preferred it to have been an English one.

Mr Curry explained away his dislike of all things French because of past experience working in the fruit growing business.

He said he had lost his job due to competition from France.

Mr Curry was the only councillor to voice his opposition on such grounds; others preferred to limit their concerns to what the market would do to traders in Aldeburgh.

Town clerk Andrew Harris said some town councillors feared it could cause problems to the high street shops.

The council is considering a proposal for a French market in the town, which would be held two or three times a year over a two or three-day period after Suffolk Coastal District Council approached them about it.

The town council is currently sounding out public views and the views of the business association, and has written to Suffolk Coastal asking for more information.

Town mayor John Digby said the council wanted to get the feeling of the people in Aldeburgh.

“Some want it, and some don't - it's one of those situations,” he said.

“Personally, I would be quite happy to see it, but we don't want to upset people in business.”

Business Association chairman Peter Watson said he had carried out a poll of members, and “people are positively in favour” as the French market could be an “added amenity” to the town, drawing in visitors and stimulating trade.

“As a business association, we are the locals selling the local produce, and we don't want other people coming in selling the produce on a weekly basis, whereas a French market is a bit different.”

He went on to say a weekly market or a farmers' market would not be so readily received because it would be seen as direct competition.

Aldeburgh's business people fought against proposals for a weekly market in the town about five or six years ago and the idea was not progressed.

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal District Council said information on the markets had also been sent to Felixstowe and Woodbridge.

“Suffolk Coastal passed on to three of the district's town councils the details of a company that runs a touring French Market, he said.

“The idea was that if any of them wanted to take the matter further or find out more they would contact the company direct, which is what we understand one of the town councils has done after requesting more information from us.

“Our role is simply that of pointing out a possible marketing opportunity for the local councils.”