ANGRY traders fear a major facelift of their market could put them out of business before it is even finished.

The £500,000 programme at Farnworth Market is being carried out in a bid to boost trade.

But stallholders claim that the work is putting off people shopping there and they have experienced a dramatic drop in business.

Now they are calling on the council to drop their rents while the work is being carried out.

A report will go to Bolton's contract services committee on Tuesday recommending that there should be a reduction.

Takings

Mr Stephen Robinson, chairman of the Farnworth Market Traders' Association, who has a greetings card business, said: "My takings are about 30 pc down and I am receiving similar reports from other traders.

"We have approached the council to reduce our rents for a while to help us through this period.

"We feel that the council should help us, otherwise there will be nobody left in business when the work is finished.

"The public seems to be confused about what is going on and I have heard people say that they thought the market had shut down.

"We want to get the message across that we are open and the disruption is only temporary."

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