YET another trader pulls out of the new Blackburn market (LT, January 8).

Littler’s family butchers, established 150 years ago, have had enough.

Not even Frank Littler’s 53 years of service to Blackburn market is enough to make the council have a re-think.

They simply blunder on, imposing a rent increase of 118%.

I can still remember the old market with its magnificent clock tower all swept away in the name of what?

Progress? I don’t think so! The council got it wrong then and it looks like they’ve got it wrong again.

Inflexibility, incompetence and arrogance – that’s what we’re up against.

I worked for Blackburn Transport for many years.

Despite being advised by the trade union and long-serving employers not to sell off the company, the council did so some three years ago with the predicted decline of the withdrawal of services.

In conclusion, I hope that the number of vacant stalls in the new market reflects the number of empty offices in the town hall.

P S WOODS, Clitheroe.