Plans to trial a farmers’ market for one day a month in Keighley town centre have been attacked by a town councillor.

Cllr David Samuels said the proposals put forward by Otley Town Partnership would suck money out of Keighley.

But the partnership claims the initiative would have the opposite effect by attracting more shoppers to the town.

The plans received a mostly positive reaction at a full meeting of Keighley Town Council.

They should involve a farmers market being held on Church Green on the third Sunday of each month for a trial period lasting at least six months.

The first market is due to be held on April 19.

Some local people are looking forward to it. Riddlesden resident Marion Pencavel, of the Transition Keighley group, said there was plenty of demand for this type of event. One of her group’s objectives is to reduce dependence on products from global corporations and encourage the manufacture and sale of local goods.

She said: “If this is a genuine attempt to create a market where Keighley folk can buy a greater range of locally grown, good quality food at down to earth prices, then this is a welcome development.”

But Cllr Samuels said it was wrong to launch a project that he claimed would threaten local traders.

He said: “With up to 40 stalls it could suck out £20,000 a month from Keighley. What with Asda coming to Keighley, small independent shops will be decimated and the centre of the town could alter irreversibly.”

He added: “The disappearance of independent retailers from Keighley would have a devastating impact on our town and the surrounding area. It is important that a stand is taken now to prevent this happening.”

Geoff Johnson, farmers markets manager, said the monthly event would not hurt Keighley’s economy. “We will be paying Keighley Town Council a fee for having the market here,” he said.

“It will be promoting the town as a whole, as we do with our market in Harrogate. We will be advertising for producers local to Keighley to get involved and they will be given priority.”

He also stressed the market would be offering different goods to those currently offered by existing Keighley businesses.

A Bradford Council spokeswoman confirmed its markets department would first need to issue a licence before the farmers market could go ahead.

Susan Mendoza, manager of the Airedale Shopping Centre, said she thought the introduction of a farmers’ market would be a “fantastic idea”.

She said it would increase the number of people coming to town on Sundays and would attract people who do not normally visit Keighley.