TRADERS are starting to fear for the future of Queensgate Market after more businesses have shut down.

Three units – including a long-established butchers and sandwich shop – have closed.

And other traders are at a loss as to how to keep shoppers coming through the market’s doors.

The departure of the three businesses adds to the increasing number of empty stalls and shuttered-up shops sweeping through the indoor market.

Kirklees Council has insisted that the indoor market is continuing to attract new businesses and shoppers.

But several stallholders have said they are worried about the future of the market and are unsure what, if anything, can be done to stem the decline in trading.

Some said they cannot compete with larger chain stores while others blamed the building’s appearance for putting off shoppers.

John Brook, of Brook’s furnishing, witnessed Mason’s cooked meats and sandwiches shop close days ago, together with longstanding business Trevor Blackburn butchers.

“It’s a shame to see people like that go,’’ he said. “I thought business was going well there.

“When established places like that go you start to think there’s not much hope for the rest of us.

“Businesses seem to be closing all around the market. It’s quite depressing and if they keep closing there will be no need for anybody to come in.

“People used to go shopping at the market because they could get things cheap.

“But the small stallholders have been swept into the background by the big players that can buy in bulk and sell even cheaper.

“It’s expensive to have a stall. As well as rent you have to run a vehicle and pay for storage and you’ve got to sell a lot just to break even.