INDEPENDENT TRADERS could lose out on benefits from Oswestry’s new supermarket development because the town’s chamber of commerce is in crisis, it has been claimed.

The Oswestry chamber lost its core members after secretary Amanda McGregor and Treasurer Sharon Gillham stepped down from their posts just weeks after its long-serving chairman Yossi Gliksman resigned.

Today town councillor and chairman of Oswestry’s Civic Society Saffron Rainey said the situation had left a vacuum which could hamper chances of traders having a say in how money from the superstore and cinema development at the Smithfield livestock market could be spent.

People are now being called to join the chamber. A meeting has been set up by Gemma Syrett-Judd, from Church Street shop, Honeysuckle for new members.

Tomorrow’s meeting will be held at 6pm at the town’s Wynnstay Hotel.

Councillor Rainey is urging the community to join up to help win back a voice for traders. He said with a strong chamber business people could draw up a list of suggestions on where money should be spent in the area.

He said: “It is a really critical time and the Chamber of Commerce’s role should be negotiating with the planners and saying this is our wish list.

“This is an opportunity and time for the community to be stakeholders in talking to the councillors to make sure the town gets the best from this opportunity.

“I think a strong chamber is a very important component and the business community, or anyone interested, should go along.”

Shropshire Council is expected to put certain conditions on the detailed planning consent for the development for the benefit of the area under what is known as a Section 106 agreement.

Councillor Rainey said there was a “lack of representation in the town”. He felt because there was no smooth handover from the chairman’s resignation to the next candidate the chamber have been unable to lobby for the money.

The former chairman Mr Gliksman stood down after eight years to concentrate on his businesses.

By Chrissy Symmons