Bingley’s Wednesday market has withered away to nothing, said a local business leader after not a single stallholder turned up this week.

Bingley Chamber of Trade and Commerce spokesman Harold Martin said it would be hard for the midweek market to recover.

“The Wednesday market is now virtually non-existent,” he said.

“A few regular stallholders have withdrawn in recent weeks and this is the first time there has been no-one there at all.

“Last Wednesday there was just one stall there and the week before there were two, but one left before 9.30am.

“I think it’s a combination of things – the weather, but mainly because of the continuing uncertainty over the management of the market and it’s long-term future.

“These stalls are people’s livelihoods and so, understandably, they are taking their pitches elsewhere.

“The Wednesday market has been suffering for some time, and now I think efforts should go into the Friday and Saturday markets which are still viable.

“But I’m disappointed with a tinge of anger, as this situation is mainly due to uncertainty caused by a failure to sort out the future of the markets.”

Bradford Council is in talks with businessmen in the town over running of the market and responsibility for setting up and dismantling the stalls.

Markets manager Colin Wolstenholme said traders were finding it difficult to cope with the weather and this contributed to no stalls being set up at Bingley on Wednesday. “Discussions are ongoing with the parties involved regarding the running of Bingley market and we hope to have something in the next couple of weeks,” said Mr Wolstenholme.

Karon Capless, who works part-time at the Loft cafe in Bingley said she was a big fan of the market and would hate to see it go. “It’s such a shame to see no stalls there,” said Mrs Capless, 42.