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Traders launch plea to stay-away shoppers
Beleaguered Preston market traders have today launched a rallying cry to stay-away shoppers.
Traders claim they are unable to invest in their stalls because they may soon be forced to move if the Tithebarn development goes ahead.
The Evening Post previously revealed some market traders were setting up second businesses elsewhere because trade is 'diabolical'.
But Michael Clarke, who runs WB Clarke and Sons butchers, has appealed for shoppers to stand by the city's indoor and outdoor markets.
He said: "A lot of folk think it is closed or it is going to close.
"They seem to think Tithebarn has been delayed, so the market is going to go away and die.
"People talk about farmers' markets but this market has been a farmers' market the whole time.
"We only deal with local farmers, these multi-nationals are not going to deal with us.
"People are buying as local as they can but you cannot get much more local than 25 miles away.
"Fruit and veg is picked and sold 12 hours later, a lot of them grow their own.
"There is no street cred in coming here because it is an old fashioned building that has been neglected."
Ellen Young, 63, who runs the Matthew Wade Banana King stall, said: "Anybody who doesn't come here is missing something special.
"They will get the nicest service and get stuff at a reasonable price.
"I really love this market and I always have. I am 63 now and I have been here all my life, I still get a buzz from it.
"At lunch times we get judges, solicitors and all the Council workers, it is always buzzing."
Dave Bullock, market manager at Preston Council, said: "We want people to go to the market.
"We are going through a difficult time, like all retailers, but it is at the heart of the community.
"They provide a first class service, the choice and variety is unbelievable.
"The traders are all frustrated about it like a lot of people in Preston with Tithebarn.
"But the developers see the covered market is key to the scheme, they have called it the third anchor."
Mr Bullock said enticements are available for new businesses looking to get started and said: "If somebody comes along with new product range, we would discuss it.
"For people who want to open new trade, we are quite flexible.
"We have a fishing tackle stall and an opticians which have opened upstairs."
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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
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
