TRADERS at the condemned Bow Lane, Preston, market say they will stay put until the council comes up with a viable alternative.

The 40-year-old site, which is home to around ten businesses and 200 workers, was earmarked for closure last year because of noise problems.

But the Market Traders Association is demanding a U-turn by the council and claims the reasons cited for its closure are unfounded.

Secretary of the association Ian Blackledge said there hadn't been complaints about noise since 1986 but the decision to close was taken just last year.

He said that if the market went, at least half the traders would go out of business because they could afford the rates at another location.

His concern was echoed by some councillors at a meeting of the Planning Committee this week.

Councillor Brian Parry said: "It's very sad to see this council breaking up the Bow Lane market. It's unique to Preston.

"People have run the market for two or three generations and they are now facing going out of business."

But one councillor likened the market to Piccadilly Circus and called it a 'hell on earth at 5am'.

So far the council has suggested relocation at the docks but the traders believe that it would cost at least £1 million which was way out of their league.

The Bow Lane site has been recommended for residential use with associated recreational or office use.

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