TRADERS and council chiefs are locked in a row over new leases which would see the market open an extra day.

Indoor stall holders in Accrington Market Hall said the council’s proposals for Wednesday trading were unprofitable, and that several stall holders are threatening to quit.

However the council insists the scheme will be run on an initial three-month trial aimed at bringing in more custom following the £2.5 million investment into the building.

Stall holders, who are expected to sign new agreements at the end of the month, said the extension of the market from five days to six, should be voluntary.

Coun Marlene Haworth, cabinet member for finance, asset management and markets, said: “The problem is that even on the existing five days, traders are closing early or opening late whenever it suits them and that puts customers off.

“After the amount of investment that has been put into the building, we need some commitment regarding hours in return. After the trial period, we will look at it again and review the Wednesday situation "We have already sold six day leases to new traders upstairs and they aren’t being supported by the others. Times are tough and we need to do everything we can to ensure we have a vibrant, busy town centre.”

Traders said they were already struggling to attract custom on other days and would not be able to afford extra staff to open on Wednesdays.

Market board chairman and Chamber of Trade vice president Ian Smith said: “We’ve been here long enough to know that Wednesdays are just too quiet to make it work.

"Traders already struggle on other days of the week and they shouldn’t be tied down to this. "

Butcher Geoff Feathers said: “The council shouldn’t force people to open on days that aren’t profitable. People will go."

John Grimshaw of B&E’s cosmetics said: “It should be voluntary as traders work six days a week as it is because they need to buy stock."

New leases, curently being drafted, are expected to stipulate a thre- month trial of Wednesday openings and ensure stalls are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm.