STALLHOLDERS have called for more support from council bosses — in order to assure the future of Radcliffe Market.

Trade in recent months has seen a slight increase in footfall, with just four empty stalls at the market after the council changed the minimum stall rental period from 12 months to 12 weeks.

In September, council bosses gave the struggling market 12 months to improve after watching it suffer a severe decline following a £1 million refurbishment.

But traders are worried that too many people are unaware that the market is back in business and that its future could still be in jeopardy.

Ricky Jackson, who runs the Psychic Emporium stall in the market, said that the council turns a blind eye to the market compared with elsewhere.

He said: “The council should be promoting us as it does with Bury Market.

“Just because that market is bigger, we don’t get the attention and it feels like we are being left in the dark.”

“We were grateful when Bury Council lifted the freeze on new stallholders but we still need help.”

Mr Jackson added that when efforts have been made to contact council bosses, they have received little response.

“When we contact them to come down and meet with us they just don’t want to know,” he said

But the council has hit back, claiming that, proportionally, more is spent promoting Radcliffe Market than its counterpart in Bury.

Many traders believe that most people are unaware that there are several new stalls in the market, with some not even knowing that it is open at all.

Su Farnworth, who runs children’s clothing and toys stall Caitley with her daughter said: “We moved here from Bolton because over there the business rates were too high.

“We have found it much better here and customers here are more regular but there is still no advertising for the place.”

“The amount of people that have come to me saying they didn’t know that the market was up and running is baffling.”

Regan Ellaway, who has recently opened Marvellous Melts said: “Business is doing well, but the main issue is most people who have been in recently hadn’t a clue it was back open again.

“They said that they either stumbled upon us or it was through word of mouth.

“People have still got the impression that the market is empty.”

Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “I am delighted that more traders are opening up on Radcliffe Market. This is good news, and exactly what the existing traders have been asking for, so I am very surprised to hear they think we are not doing enough for them.

“It is totally false to say the council is not concerned about Radcliffe Market. We’ve just spent £1 million completely renovating the market hall, so the facts prove otherwise.

“I am also surprised at claims that people don’t know the market is open, given the huge number of stories that the Radcliffe Times has run about the market since it re-opened.

“It is important to remember that market traders are self-employed, and are therefore free to advertise their own business themselves if they wish. Some traders are social media savvy, and do regularly advertise their events.

“The council does, though, try to help by advertising the market. We spend proportionately more on advertising Radcliffe Market (11% of income) than Bury Market (2.6% of income).

“Traders, though, must appreciate that actual expenditure will reflect the size of each operation. Furthermore, Radcliffe Market runs at a loss and is subsidised by the council; given the council’s financial position, we are not in a position to spend even more money on advertising. We are frequently in dialogue with the traders, and we will continue to explore the best ways of helping Radcliffe Market to become more successful in the long term.”

Radcliffe market is open on Thursdays as well as the regular Tuesday, Friday and Saturday market days.