WALLINGFORD’S new market town co-ordinator Mike Northover will talk to town centre traders about the possible damaging effect of an out-of-town supermarket.

Last month it emerged that Morrisons wants to build a supermarket and a petrol station at the Hithercroft industrial estate, which could bring up to 300 new jobs to the town.

Some traders fear the move would damage town centre trade and have urged Morrisons to move into the empty former Waitrose store, off St Martin’s Street, instead.

Mr Northover, 53, is the newly -appointed economic development officer for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils. He replaces Deborah O’Brien,.

He said: “Morrisons is a big issue for the town and I’m happy to engage in dialogue with traders and act as a conduit between them and any interested parties.

“But it’s a balancing act as to whether an out-of-town store will be a good thing or not and I don’t want to comment on this as colleagues are dealing with the planning process.

“I will help in any way I can by talking to retailers and taking their concerns further up the food chain.

“Wallingford has a lot going for it, including its large number of independent shops, and I want to maintain that and try to ensure that local people don’t take that for granted.”

Wallingford in Business spokesman Elaine Hornsby, who runs the First Edition clothes store in Market Place, said: “I think it will help enormously to have someone like Mike working on our behalf and we will work closely with him.”

Morrisons said earlier that it would hold talks this month with the district council before discussing its draft proposals.