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Traders forced to desert market
Market stall holders are being forced to set up second businesses because trade is so "diabolical" at Preston's outdoor market.
And today, one trader said he could not rule out eventually leaving the 1875 market altogether, such is the struggle to make ends meet.
Traders Steve Dillon and David Maudsley have snapped up an upstairs unit in The Mall and are using the former Pier store to sell fancy dress costumes and handbags to supplement their market incomes.
The pair claim business at the Grade II listed market is the worst they have ever known.
Steve, who has been trading for 27 years and sells socks and underwear, said: "The place is just dropping apart round my business.
"It's an embarrassment to stand there and it shouldn't be like that. The place is a disgrace, it's filthy.
"The one thing they could do is give it a lick of paint.
"I think it would be better if somebody tried to privatise it. I think we would see a massive turnaround."
And Steve, who runs Costumes 4U in The Mall, said the lack of action had prompted a move inside and said: "We've just got to go forward. If nothing's going to happen there, you can't sit around waiting."
David, whose family has been on the market for 45 years and who now runs Kiss The Old Bag Goodbye, said: "There's no point hanging about, you've got to pursue different avenues.
"We're serving the same people, just in a different environment which is more conducive to better sales.
"I just wish the market was as vibrant as The Mall is. When you've been working on the outdoor market for so long, it becomes part of you.
"I think the writing's on the wall for the market in its present format. It's a shame because there's still business to be had .
"It's just unfortunate they're not getting new traders, they're asking for rent increases and, generally, the market needs sorting out.
"Some decisions need to be made with regard to the future of the market because it can't go on like it is."
Coun Eric Fazackerley, the council's cabinet member for resources, said: "It's recognised that something needs to doing and early attention will be given to it (as part of the Tithebarn scheme)."
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Weather for Preston
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
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