FOOTFALL at Bolton Market has been ‘totally decimated’ by the closure of the Moor Lane bus station, according to angry traders.

Stallholders at the Ashburner Street market have reported a significant decline in business since the opening of new Bolton Interchange in September, which has taken potential customers away from that area of the town centre.

The old bus station, which served the town since the 1930s, is waiting to be demolished and it is expected that housing will be built on the site.

Alan Woodcock, who runs the TXC Technology Xchange Centre stall, said: “The downturn is obvious for everyone to see.

“I would say there has been at least a 30 or 40 per cent drop in people coming through the market since the bus station closed.

“Our hours of trading now are effectively only between 11am and 3pm because of the drop in customers.”

Since the bus station’s closure, some businesses have been forced to reduce the number of stalls they rent in order to save money.

Mr Woodcock, who has been trading since the 1980s, added: “All of the shops around this part of town are struggling now. If you alter the dynamics of a town like has happened here, then it is inevitable.

“The council has a wonderful vision for the town, but by the time the improvement happens it might be too late for the market.”

Another trader, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “The bus station closing has definitely had a bad effect, there has been a huge downturn.

“Footfall has been totally decimated and I don’t think the council is doing anything to help us.”

Alain Job, who runs the Nkono Caribbean food stall, said: “I am doing something that is quite unique, so my regular customers are still coming and I have not been hit in the way that other stalls have.

“Last week was actually my best this year.

“But for the people who are selling things that you can get in supermarkets or elsewhere in the town centre it will be more difficult.”

The council said that redevelopment of land around the market as part of the £1 billion town centre masterplan would provide a boost for the market.

A spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear that traders feel that there has been an effect on custom with the relocation of the bus station.

“The old station was rundown, there was clearly a need for a new facility and the interchange combines bus and railway services with a modern, purpose-built development.

“Bus services still go past the market and stop outside the job centre, and there is currently a bus stop outside Smart Clothing which is served by the free Metroshuttle.

“There is a lot of other investment planned for the town centre, particularly in the area near the market.

“The demolition of the existing bus station structure will take place in the near future and this site is earmarked for housing and mixed uses in our town centre masterplan.

“We are confident that as redevelopment continues it will positively impact trade at our fantastic market.

“The market offers great quality, fresh produce at good prices and we want to see it thrive as Bolton’s transformation continues.”