Traders threaten to quit town's farmers' market

5:42pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

THE monthly farmers’ market in Bolton is under threat, with some traders considering quitting this week.

Stallholders say business has fallen dramatically after Bolton Council forced them to move from Moss Bank Park to the town centre.

Some traders have already taken their business elsewhere, and others are threatening to leave.

Ian Morton, of High Seas Sea Food, said: “In Moss Bank Park there were 35 stalls but only nine were set up on Sunday. Takings on my stall have dropped by a third.”

He added: “We warned the market would not be successful in the town centre, it is not the setting for a farmers’ market. Not only that but the council shunt us elsewhere when they have a function in Victoria Square.”

The farmers’ market was moved from the park to the town centre a year ago.

Mr Morton, who is originally from Bolton but now lives in Helmshore, said: “We predicted this would happen. Farmers’ markets, if set up properly, are very popular, like those in Ramsbottom and Helmshore.

“When it was in a park setting families came for a nice day out. It is getting to a point where myself and others will look to go elsewhere.”

Richard Holt, of J and R Holt’s Quality Lamb stall, said if the market continued to be moved around he would consider his future at the Bolton market.

Mr Holt, from Helmshore, said: “We do far better at other markets in the region. At Bolton you just don’t know whether you will get the customers.

“If we are moved anywhere other than a park setting or continue to be shunted, then customers will stop coming. If we have no customers then we will have no choice but to pack up.”

Traders dismissed the council’s argument that the park location was not suitable.schaudhari@theboltonnews.co.uk