STRUGGLING market traders have been granted rent reductions.
Stallholders at Nelson and Colne's market halls could pay as little as half their previous tariffs, after a Pendle Council survey highlighted rent levels in the two boroughs were higher than those imposed by neighbouring councils.
Traders in Nelson had been paying from £20.26 to £45.73 per square foot in their monthly rents - now the basic rate will be set at £20.26 with increases for bigger stalls with more frontage in better locations.
A report to Pendle Council's Executive Committee, property services officer Keith Davy said the present rental costs were putting people off opening a stall, and that the new system would hopefully increase occupancy and attract more shoppers.
The report was approved at Nelson Town Hall by councillors at Thursday's Executive meeting.
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