'Shoppers fully behind us' say traders

Strongly worded notices have been displayed throughout the temporary market building in Rawson Place urging people to "show their disgust" by signing petition forms which will be sent to Bradford Council.

The notices tell the shoppers that they should by now have been in a brand new market - but not a building brick has been laid.

Chairman of Rawson Market Tenants' Association, John Parker, said today that 300 people had signed the petition forms in the first few hours.

"The response is absolutely tremendous the public are fully behind us."

The storm has erupted because work has not started on the refurbishment of the main market hall in the heart of the city centre - even though the traders were moved out to a temporary hall two years ago. The stall holders say in the meantime eight businesses have collapsed, including a butchers in the last fortnight.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed this week that funds for the scheme hang on the sale of Vicar Lane car park in August to developers which want to turn the site into a massive leisure scheme.

The old market hall was demolished last November and the traders had expected work on the main contract to start in January.

The work is expected to take up to two years and the businesses say they would never have moved out if they had known it would be for up to four years.

Butcher Allan Charnock said: "We want fewer promises and some action."

Neighbouring stall holder Donald Pickup said: "We are getting a marvellous response from the public, because they do not want to lose their market

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood will meet the tenants next week with director of property and exchequer Phillip Walker.

He says there is no problem about the Vicar Lane sale and the Council will carry out the refurbishment as soon as possible.

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