Two markets operating illegally in Bradford have been ordered by the Council to stop trading or face prosecution.

The Bazaar market in Drummonds Mill, Lumb Lane, and Tradex Bazaar, at the former Shires Bathroom site in Beckside Road, must stop trading no later than Monday or they will be pursued through the magistrates’ courts, a Council spokesman said.

Neither has the correct planning permission or a markets licence.

Julian Jackson, Bradford Council’s assistant director of planning, said: “We have issued Stop Notices and Planning Enforcement Notices against the owners and operators of unauthorised markets at both Drummond Mills in Lumb Lane and Shires Tradex on Beckside Road.

“These Stop Notices require both markets to cease trading from their respective sites no later than Monday, July 9.”

The news has been welcomed by other Bradford traders.

Habib Rehman, owner of the Dharkan Boutique, in Whetley Lane, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of the decision. It will be good for the business and for the city centre.”

Zaheer Iqbal, who runs two Stylish Wear stalls at the Kirkgate Centre, said: “I think it is really good news for all businesses. People can come in town, look at how we do business and maybe they can open up here. You will get more people in the market in the town centre.”

Hassan Ali, general manager at The Bazaar, said the business moved from Cemetery Road to Drummonds Mill in March. Going through the planning process for the new site had taken longer than anticipated, he said, and the decision on its planning application was deferred after they had marketed their March opening date.

“This left us in a difficult situation, having spent substantial resources getting the premises ready and marketing our new opening date,” he said. “We decided to go ahead with the move, assuming that our planning application would be heard imminently.”

He said The Bazaar took the decision two weeks ago that it would close on July 10.

A spokesman for Tradex could not be reached for a comment last night.

e-mail: tanya.orourke@telegraphandargus.co.uk