Market traders in Bingley say they are furious at Bradford Council’s proposals to withdraw services to save money for the 2012/13 budget.

Under the local authority’s proposals, its staff would no longer put up and take down stalls at the market, held three days a week in Market Square.

If traders put up their own stalls, it would save the taxpayer £25,000.

But, when the Telegraph & Argus visited the site yesterday, there was fury among many traders.

Damian Town-Jones, 30, who is in his second year of running his mobility stall, said: “It’s ridiculous, the Council are being stupid and they will try and make money off this if it goes ahead. They should be supporting us and they don’t, it’s very frustrating.”

The market is celebrating its 800th anniversary this year and the decline in customers has worried stall owners.

Carl Holmes, 52, who owns a mobile coffee business, said: “The Council have only done half a job. If they’d have incorporated the old market features using something to match the roof but keeping that old feel – that would have been good for business.

“The Council hasn’t used the money wisely in my opinion. Events have been stopped and when the Bradford & Bingley building closed we’ve lost a good 50 per cent of customers.”

Ann Carroll, who owns the Bags of Style stall, said: “It was a thriving market when Brad-ford & Bingley was open and not providing us with the stalls would finish some of us – we just need the Council’s support.”

Stall owners would have to buy their own stalls and put them up themselves.

One trader, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I wouldn’t mind putting up the stalls myself, it’s business at the end of the day.”

Colin Wolstenholme, Bradford Council’s markets manager, said: “We are continuing to consult with market traders on a range of options which are included in Bradford Council’s budget proposals.

“Any decision made will take fully into account the views of the market traders and other interested parties.”

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