Accrington market hall traders remain fiercely divided over the temporary trial of six-day opening.

Council bosses say trade is steadily picking up on Wednesdays as shoppers get used to the hall being open.

Wednesday trading has won the support of a core of traders, who say it’s time to bring the market hall into the 21st century, especially with a new Accrington Tesco imminent.

Steve Hayman, of Slacks Butchers, said: "Wednesday trade is definitely picking up and the trade is building nicely."

Duncan Alton of ‘All Fruits’ said: "It’s good, and we are enjoying Wednesdays now. It took a few weeks to get going but we do our best to offer great choice, quality and great service and people seem to appreciate it."

Lynn Hind, of Matthews Cards and Hardware, said: "We are glad we are giving it a try as we have been busy".

Andrew Lund, of the Sweet Stall, said: "We were in favour of the trial and we are finding trading decent, so far so good."

One trader who was broadly in favour of six-day opening said that he would favour closing early as they have been busy in the mornings, but sales slacken off in the afternoon.

He added: "I think that eventually this will become permanent."

Markets chief Coun Marlene Haworth said: "Many traders are finding that Wednesday trading is steadily increasing in the market hall as more people realise it’s open for business. We are passionate about the market hall and the town centre and now hope to go on to bigger and better things and I will do my absolute utmost to make the market hall and the town centre work.

"I want to say a big thanks to the traders for giving the trial a fair go, at the end of the day we just want business in Accrington to thrive and the Wednesday opening trial is part of this."

However, a large number of stallholders remain bitterly opposed to six-day trading.

John Healey, of Fairbrothers Biscuits, said: "Things are not very good. It’s probably like a Monday. It’s not very good on Wednesday at all and at dinner time it just goes quiet.

"I’m struggling because I’ve got to go and pack stock up. We are sat in the cold with no-one to serve. I wouldn’t say I’m even breaking even on Wednesdays."

Mrs Green, of Len’s Cooked Meats, said: "It’s shocking. Everybody who is employing staff is losing money to open. The council’s plans have backfired.

"If you’re self employed and paying rent you should be able to go home early, but there’s a £20 fine. We are not in Victorian times."