WORK has begun to demolish Farnworth Market.

The work to demolish the canopy next to King Street will take three weeks, depending on weather, Bolton Council said.

Traders have now moved to the market’s other two canopies.

Farnworth market will remain open for business on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays with no demolition taking place on these days.

The demolition is part of plans to develop new retail units on the site of the market.

Steve Rawcliffe, aged 45, from Leyland, who has owned a fruit and vegetable stall in the market for 30 years, said: “The council had to do something to change the market, I totally understand that.

“But I feel like they could have made things better for us, rather than worse. With the old stalls, we had running water and electricity. But when they move us to these new gazebos, there’s not going to be any running water, electricity, or lighting.

“If it gets dark at 4pm, what am I going to do then, stop trading?”

Tom Nuttall, aged 54, of Nuttall’s jewellery, who has worked in the market for 33 years, said: “It seems like there’s nothing we can do. Everybody’s a bit fed up.

“We all realise the need to move forward, we have realised that we have to move on.

“It’s just the way it’s been handled, we would have liked more direct consultation.”

Tracey Myatt, aged 49, who runs an outdoor cafe in the market and has worked there for 18 years, added: “It feels like everyone’s being brushed under the carpet and left to sink. This move will kill my business completely — we can’t offer the same service if we’re moved to a dismountable stall.” The demolition is part of plans to develop new retail units on the site of the market.

The canopy will be knocked down in favour of “demountable stalls” in Brackley Street or Asda’s car park. Eventually the entire market site will be redeveloped by retail experts St Modwen into new shops.

Farnworth councillor Noel Spencer said: “This regeneration scheme is something we have been wanting for more than a decade. Some of the meetings we have had with members of the public have produced really positive results.

“In the current economic climate, the fact that we are beginning this multi-million pound regeneration is something we are really encouraged by.”

A council spokesman said: “The works will take place on non-market trading days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to ensure as little disruption to the market as possible.

“The market is still open for business on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays with no demolition work on these days.”