STALLHOLDERS at Radcliffe Market say they may be forced to leave after a huge downturn in trade.

With building work now underway to build a new Lidl store adjacent to the market, traders say that there is now nowhere for customers to park.

Perimeter wooden fencing installed around the building site now completely covers the parking area and according to some traders, customers wanting to come to visit the market are now turning away as they cannot find anywhere nearby to park.

Pauline Warburton, stallholder and spokesperson for traders at the market, said: “There is nowhere for customers to park so the market has been pretty much empty for the last two weeks.

“We all feel that we have been sold right down the river after not being given any assurances from Bury Council.

“We did previously ask them how much the parking would be restricted but were left in the dark about it.

“Some traders haven’t even taking enough money to pay their ground rent and are now saying that they will have to shut up shop in the next couple of weeks.”

A spokesperson for Bury Council said: “While the loss of parking spaces is unfortunate, large projects of this nature will inevitably cause some disruption and this redevelopment was announced many months ago.

“We all look forward to the new store being completed as soon as possible, which will continue the ongoing regeneration of the town centre and be welcomed by local shoppers.”

A spokesperson for Lidl, said: “Health and safety is of the upmost importance to us, and, as such, the car park will be closed whilst construction of the new store is carried out.”

Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.