Town drops its idea for market

10:55pm Monday 19th May 2008

Silsden Town Council has decided not to go ahead with a plan to hold a market.

Some of the town's shop owners were against the plans, fearing they could be forced to close if customers went elsewhere.

But some town councillors thought it could bring more tourism to Silsden, which would increase footfall and improve trade for shop owners.

Silsden residents were asked for their opinions through a survey form handed out to shop customers and on-line.

Altogether, 80 people responded and a small majority favoured a market.

Robert Rushton and Julian Cooper, who own Fodder, a greengrocery in Kirkgate, told the Council that if there was a weekly market in the town and one of the stalls sold fruit and vegetables, they would most likely lose their once-a-week customers, which would be a big blow.

Mr Cooper said: "We could easily close down; it could take 50 per cent of our custom away."

Councillor Tim Maddocks said the majority of people in the survey who wanted a market was too small to go ahead with the idea and the council voted to drop the plan.