MARKET traders have dismissed claims the closure of a nearby Marks & Spencer store will damage their trade.

The retail giant plans to close the Piazza store in the coming months and revamp the main New Street store.

No jobs will be lost as a result of the closure but the news comes as a blow to The Piazza and concerns have been raised recently about the number of empty stalls at Queensgate Market next to it.

Traders there insist the loss of the neighbouring Marks & Spencer store will have little affect on their businesses.

Lindsay Foster, who owns Lincolns Florists, said: “I don’t think it will make any difference at all. Every time I go in M&S it is never very busy.

“It is only the men’s clothes and lingerie and it is a bad design with everything crammed in.

“From a market perspective we are doing well. We are busier than we have ever been.”

Simon Yospur, owner of the Sweet Shop, said: “It’s sad to see a flagship brand like M&S moving all its trade to New Street. It won’t help us traders, but I don’t think it will have a massive impact.

“We have got to be positive and keep the market going. We don’t want rumours of closure as it is just scaring away customers.”

Richard Chadwick, of Williams Ironmongers, added: “I can see why M&S are making the move. To run two sites with clothing doesn’t make any sense and with running costs in the current climate you can’t blame them.

“I don’t see how they are going to fit all their stock into the New Street store. “They would have been better off having the food outlet in the Piazza as it is close to the car park for shoppers.