UNHAPPY traders have raised concerns about the way a charity is running Shipley’s indoor market.

Existing traders are now writing to London Associated Properties, the landlord of the market building, to complain about HALE’s plans for the market, which they claim do not include them.

The critics also claim that HALE has failed to attract any new tenants to the market since it took over - although the charity said it was in talks with many potential stallholders and needed time to “establish new ways of working.”

In January, the Telegraph & Argus reported how the healthy living charity was planning to revive the town’s privately-owned market by filling its 16 empty stalls with local makers and budding entrepreneurs wanting to test out their products.

At that point, it was reported that HALE (Health Action Local Engagement) had recruited former British Red Cross business support worker Jane McCarey to be its market manager with a brief to make the indoor venue a “go to destination.”

However, just weeks into the start of the project, market traders say they have been told that Mrs McCarey is leaving and a new manager has been appointed.

Trader Valerie McLaren, 67, who has worked at the watch, battery and strap stall in the market for 38 years, said there was a feeling that the charity had more of a focus on attracting stallholders who needed help to get established, including pop-up shops, rather than seeing the value of existing successful traders.

She said: “We don’t make good bed-fellows. We are not pop-up stalls. HALE’s plans don’t include us.”

HALE’s chief executive Natasha Thomas said Mrs McCarey had only been helping out and “was never going to be a long-term solution.”

She added: “It takes time to establish new ways of working and although there is obviously a couple of stall holders who are unhappy with the way things have been happening in the last few weeks, we also have enjoyed the support of others, who are linking with us to promote HALE’s community based projects and in return we are promoting their businesses.

"We are continually reviewing and communicating with the market holders and hope that together we will be able to build a vibrant and regenerated heart of Shipley.”

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