A MARKET stall holder selling pet products has told of her frustration at her pitch being moved away from a rival bricks-and-mortar pet shop.

Millie Lawlor, who runs pet food business Dudley & Sage, set up a stall selling pet food last year.

After a couple of successful weeks on the stall, Millie decided to sell accessories, spending "thousands" of pounds on stock.

However, she was told to move location by the council following a complaint by a local shop.

The council said that as of March 31, she must stop selling accessories and move her stall to the bottom of the High Street.

Hampshire Chronicle: Millie with Dudley Millie with Dudley

Millie said: "We were no longer able to sell anything other than pet treats because that was what we put on our application form.

"I just feel that there was already a conflict in the products I was initially selling, but that was never a concern from the council when our application was initially approved."

Millie said she feels market traders are discriminated against.

She said: "We have such a small range, we just trade one day a week and we struggle to see how we have an impact on their business."

A spokesman from Winchester City Council said that the council "strives to maintain a careful balance on the High Street".

They said the market, which is managed by Winchester Street Market on its behalf, occasionally deals with conflicts arising from the range and positioning of particular stalls.

They added: "In this case, concerns were raised around both the position of the Dudley & Sage stall, and the nature of the goods being sold.

"The manager regularly reviews the sites of individual stalls in relation to our High Street businesses and occasionally will request that stall holders relocate in order to retain the right balance for traders and retailers to flourish.

"We reviewed the terms of conditions under which we let the Dudley& Sage stall, and the stall holders agreed to cease selling items that were outside their original agreement. The stall continues to trade on the market."

A spokesperson for Pet Pantry, an independent business, said: "We are pleased that Winchester City Council recognised the impact and commitment local independent shop owners make in Winchester.

"Pet shops are not often found on the High Street these days. We took a huge financial risk opening a new pet shop in Winchester in late 2017.

"We have faced many challenges along our journey but by our continued committed of opening seven days a week and with a large range of quality products, we are pleased that the Winchester community still supports our family business."

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