TRADERS are worried about changes at Huddersfield Open Market.

The Saturday second-hand stall-holders fear new plans for a Sunday market could eventually lead to a car boot sale at the Brook Street market.

Denis O’Toole, of Newsome, a trader of 15 years, said: “Kirklees Council are starting a once-a-month Sunday market at the Brook Street market starting on March 10.

“The devil is in the wording. They’ve told us it isn’t a second-hand market, but anyone can apply to go along so how do they make sure it won’t become a car boot sale?

“Some traders have been told ‘don’t worry, it won’t affect your takings’ but we are very worried as many traders were told ‘don’t worry’ when they first opened a car boot in Dewsbury town centre on the market site.”

Last month Kirklees Council announced a car boot sale on Sundays but they recently ruled it out.

Instead a new market day, dubbed Upmarket Sunday, will run on the second Sunday of each month featuring artisan foods, crafts, art and antiques.

A Kirklees spokeswoman explained: “The Saturday Market at Brook Street is one of the busiest markets in Kirklees.

“There are always casual stallholders queuing for stalls on Saturday and there are often times when we have to turn stallholders away due to the market being completely full.

“The weekday markets are not as busy and by adding an extra weekend day once per month this will give our weekday stallholders an extra trading day to boost their sales.”

Asked how a weekday market fits into an ‘Upmarket Sunday’, the spokeswoman replied: “The traders can be reassured that there is to be no car boot sale. Attendance at the Sunday market must be pre-booked and is open to weekday traders if they wish.”

Mr O’Toole and his market trader colleagues remain unconvinced, adding: “If you visit the Friday second-hand market in Dewsbury you will see how badly this has declined from a busy, bustling market to a very sad state.

“Lots of traders have given up as customers have got used to paying car boot prices. We don’t want to end up with the same problems as Dewsbury at Huddersfield market.”

“There is a saying ‘those who can’t remember history are condemned to repeat it’. We remember and we don’t want to repeat it in Huddersfield.”

The second-hand Saturday market runs weekly from 8am until 4pm.

KIRKLEES Council says the new Sunday market will boost town centre business.

They expect a range of stallholders to sign up to the once-a-month Sunday market, which begins on March 10 from 10am to 4pm.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council sees the additional market day as a way to not only support existing Huddersfield stallholders but other locally-based stallholders who need to develop a range of outlets to support their businesses.

“The market also supports the town centre by developing the Sunday offer in Huddersfield.

“Attracting new shoppers to this venue will encourage people to visit the market on other days.”

Stalls include antiques, jewellery, food and glassware, as well as visits from farm shops.

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees Cabinet member for Investment and Regeneration, said: “A giant Sunday market with a huge range of goods on sale will give the town centre a real boost.

“A market offers something very different to out-of-town shops and the internet. This new market will be somewhere to spend a few hours enjoying browsing and bargain hunting”.