TRADERS are making a plea to Darwen residents to continue supporting the three-day market despite its future being under threat.

The building has been earmarked for closure and demolition due to a drop in footfall and a 40 per cent vacancy rate with traders offered the option of moving into the partnering five-day market and annexe.

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Stallholders have noticed sales falling since the potential closure was announced and are concerned some people are assuming the market has has already closed.

David Stephenson, curate at St Peter’s Church and passionate market campaigner, said he was keen to get people out to support stallholders as much as possible and celebrate what is special about Darwen while they have the chance.

He said: “More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to keep the three-day market open as because it is such a vital part of Darwen’s identity.

“Some of the traders have inherited stalls from their parents and it really is the pride of the town.

“The traders are under enormous pressure and there is high anxiety at the moment, the best thing people can do is to keep going in because it isn’t closed and that’s the impression that’s been given.

“The traders need voices other than their own to be heard so and that’s why I’m getting behind keeping the market.”

One trader, who did not wish to be named, said she wants to encourage people to keep visiting the market despite the looming axe.

She said: “People have got the impression that the market is either closed or is closing very soon and that is not the case.

“Moving into the annexe is not ideal because a lot of people specifically want their stall as a three-day stall.

“But it’s better than not being there at all and we want people to know that the plan is to move the stalls into the annexe.

“We know the building has had it but we want people to know that this isn’t the end.

“The footfall has dropped since the report came out about the closure and I really want people to realise we are still trading and for people to be positive about the market, and not come in asking all the time when the place is closing.”

There will be a public meeting on April 8 at 6.30pm at St Peters Church for people to have their say on what they think about the future of the three-day market.