THE campaign to save small businesses in Havelock Street and Morley Street got underway as traders started a petition to prevent their shops being demolished.

Traders from action group Hamsta Havelock And Morley Street Traders' Association are enlisting the support of their customers and the public to help them in their fight.

They want to stop Westfield, the owner of the Brunel Centre, from bulldozing nearly 30 of the shops as part of its £150m redevelopment scheme.

Hamsta members insist they are not against development but just want the proposals to allow some space for small traders like themselves.

Kathy McGuire, owner of Havelock News, said: "What we are against is not being given any concessions whatsoever.

"The plans do not take small businesses into account, which will mean the small businesses will be wiped out.

"They may offer one or two of us some slots in the new development but the rent and rates would be beyond our means. There is no way we can survive in the new development.

"We are asking that at least Havelock Street should be left to keep the character of the town.

"We've got a very good community spirit here.

"A lot of people like it because the street has been here for years and years.

"The customers treat us like family."

Campaigners want to present the petition to Swindon Council before the planning committee considers the outline planning application for development in October.

Gary Capon, owner of Cloth Cabin in Morley Street, said a big development would alter the character of the town centre.

He said: "I am very concerned the development would decimate any small traders.

"We are not Marks and Spencer or Next. Those square box units wouldn't suit our sort of retail.

"We give good service to the public and all we want is some place set aside for us."

When Westfield announced the plans in May traders said they knew nothing of them until the Advertiser revealed the scheme in a front page story.

The proposals involve the town centre expanding across Havelock Street and into a new 33,000 square metre block, built on what is currently Granville Street car park.

It would include 100 new shops, a new department store, cinema and 800-seat food court.