IT is hard to have much confidence in Cllr McGeehan’s statement (Letters, September 1) that Horwich market is an “ongoing project”.

Last Friday, customers arriving at the new temporary site behind the Post Office at 9am were told that the market had been cancelled for the day as none of the traders had turned up because of the wet weather.

Two traders who work from their own vans (meat and fish) were already there, however, and did do some business. But already, after only two months in operation following the closure of the old Market Hall in Curteis Street, it looks as though the new market is going to be a fair weather affair as its little tents offer no protection from the elements for shoppers and very little for traders.

It was stated in The Bolton News recently that the new market was on trial until December. One imagines that there will be more washouts before then and that the council will fulfil its apparent aim to rid Horwich of its market by claiming that it is not in demand by either traders or shoppers.

There are thriving markets in many towns (mainly immediately adjacent to shopping streets), and unless a suitable permanent site — and proper cover — can be found, it looks as though the Horwich “project” is doomed.

Brian Smith Horwich