Market Hall shoppers could soon be able to pay for goods by debit card and online under new council plans.

Traders are being approached over making payments easier for customers to improve trade.

But a number of other businesses said the changes would be too expensive.

It would require traders to pay a total of £1,680 over the life of a four-year contract.

Steve Riley, owner of Riley’s DVDs and CDs, is the first trader to introduce the technology, made possible following the recent refurbishment of the market hall.

Mr Riley, who has been running his business for 14 years without a card machine, said it would allow customers to spend more money in his shop.

He is also looking into online trading.

He said: "It will be a great thing for my business. In the past if somebody came in and wanted an expensive box set then they would get their card out and want to pay that way because they didn’t have the cash on them.

"There have been a few people who have come in and because they have seen the card machine have spent a bit more money. It has its advantages particularly at this time of year."

A meeting will be held in the New Year between stallholders and council chiefs to discuss expanding the scheme.

Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard said allowing shoppers to pay by card would make the market hall ‘more competitive’.

She said: "We want to take the idea out to traders and see how it will be received. Supermarkets and other shops allow people to pay by card instead of just paying by cash. If people are using cards then it can be more convenient.

"Hopefully there will be an incentive now they have seen Riley’s are doing well with it."

But Ian Smith, owner of M and I K Smith butchers, said it would only benefit certain businesses.

He said: "For some traders who sell items at bigger prices then it would be good for them.

"If people are coming in and spending only a few pounds then it wouldn’t really be worth it."