Council bosses are consulting with market traders about ending six-day trading.
Stallholders and businesses in Accrington Market Hall held a meeting with councillor Clare Pritchard to raise concerns over various issues, including Wednesday opening.
Some stallholders are unhappy with trading on Wednesdays, arguing there is not enough custom to make it viable – but others want to stay open.
A questionnaire has now been issued to each trader asking their views on opening times. Stallholders have agreed to continue with current trading hours until an outcome of the review.
The council introduced six-day trading at the market in October last year on a trial basis but unhappy stallholders took the council down to the wire, with several contracts remaining unsigned until the deadline.
The market currently operates on an informal five-and-a-half day system, with most traders closing by 2pm on Wednesdays.
Market board chairman and Chamber of Trade vice president Ian Smith said: “Opening on a Wednesday should be optional because it doesn’t work for me and what I sell but for others it does.
But Duncan Allton, who owns All Fruits, disagrees. He said: “We are a community of traders and we rely on each other. If one business is closed on a Wednesday then it’s a detriment to the rest.”
Steve Hayman, owner of Slacks Farm Butchers, said: “We were told when we signed the lease that it was going be six days and we have invested and geared up for that.
“It’s the more elderly traders who are coming up to retirement or are at retirement age and want to do less. We don’t want to end up a retirement home for traders and that’s what we will be if we keep cutting the hours down.
“With Blackburn market now open we need to open as many days as we can. If we don’t it will be a step back into the darkness.”
Javid Raza, owner of Jazz Jeans, said: “We have given it a go for the past few months and it doesn’t do any good to us.”
Businesses on the upstairs balcony are required to remain open throughout Wednesday as part of their contract with Hyndburn Enterprise Trust. Sue Quinn, owner of Krafterz Choice, said: “I don’t want to open on Wednesdays as I have other commitments. I’d prefer it to be traders’ choice.”
Other issues raised at the meeting included cleaning, refurbishment and market budget spending. Coun Clare Pritchard, cabinet member for markets, said: “We are working with them to improve the market and their views are vital in considering plans for the market’s future.”
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