Traders have won their battle for more compensation when contractors develop a multi-million pound city centre market.

The businesses have decided to stay in the building while the work is done but say disruption could badly hit their businesses.

John Street Market in Bradford will be transformed in a £3 million scheme which will see stall holders from Rawson Market and James Street Fish Market moving in.

The "super market" scheme replaces a failed plan to build a major hall for the Rawson Street traders only.

Officers recommended Bradford Council's executive committee give the John Street traders a 25 per cent rent discount when contractors carry out the work early next year.

But officials from the market tenants' association managed to broker a 50 per cent reduction with backing of Labour councillors who said the viability of the market was crucial to the city centre.

The stall holders fear their businesses will fold unless without council support.

And they feel they are being treated unfairly because traders in the temporary Rawson Market nearby have been charged no rent for more than two years because of the effect of the move from the main hall on their businesses.

The rent concession will cost the council £147,000 over the 38 week work period.

Chairman of the market tenants' association John Ackroyd told committee members the stall holders were now forced to pay VAT because of the cost of the refurbishment and were hard hit by the new charges.

He said: "A lot are really struggling to survive and we have had no help from the council until now. We are good tenants and we want the market to succeed."

Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Odsal) said: "We need John Street Market to attract new traders. I think an extra £100,000 to support business is a good investment."

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "The VAT charges are hitting the smallest businesses which can least afford it."

l The committee agreed to appoint the Manningham Housing Association as its development agency for a £3.8 million regeneration project in Gilpin Street, Barkerend.

The project - which will include housing, child care and recreation - is part of a regeneration scheme for the area which was awarded a £27m Government grant.

l Members agreed door locks and keypads should be supplied to 14 blocks of flats at Wycliffe Gardens, Shipley, which do not have security doors. And they approved a £600,000 revamp for Shipley pool as well as improvement work at Ilkley pool and the town's Kings Hall/Winter Gardens.