Market traders have said the district's principal town should be renamed Newton Asda and have called on shoppers not to abandon independent retailers. They are also worried that the arrival of discount household store Wilkinson, which sells everything from home furnishings to pet supplies, could spell the end for many of the 40 businesses in the town's pannier market and threaten the whole venture. The fears were expressed after Somerfield announced it was pulling out of Newton Abbot because of poor sales. Wilkinson is to take over the town centre unit. Market spokesmen Ron Southcombe and Jim Ashford disagreed with town development manager Sally Henley, who said the change would create jobs and increase footfall.

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