Unease between traders and town hall chiefs over £250,000 improvements to Clitheroe Market have been raised by councillors.

Questions have also been asked about whether the planned upgrades are ambitious enough to make the market more attractive for visitors in future.

The market, which includes a former bullring, is set for some upgrades later this year. Work is expected to include stone and tar-resin surfaces in the central area, lighting and new street furniture. Ribble Valley Council wants to keep disruption to a minimum, allowing stalls to remain open,.

The council also wants to use government money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, established by the former Tory government.

Clitheroe is also currently having improvements in the Castle Street area backed by Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Council.

Labour's Cllr Lee Jameson told a full council meeting: "Spending money on the market is good. There’s a lot to do, to upgrade the market area and make it more attractive for people to visit and spend money. We need a long term plan,

“Last week I spoke to an architect about what the market could look like and Cllr Ian Brown took me to meet traders. What worries me is the traders seem to be miles away from the council officers and leadership.

“There seems to be some anger, some of which is unwarranted because officers and the councils are trying to keep them informed.  But what can we do to quieten this down?”

Borough Tory leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson said: "Before the pandemic, several improvements were done at the market including new canopies and hand-painted signs. Further improvements were identified that were put on hold during the pandemic.

“But because of changes to shopping patterns, some proposals have not been seen as suitable. New suggestions came in a report in March 2023 and are being progressed with minimum disruption using money from the UK Share Prosperity Fund.

Cllr Atkinson added: “The market director meets traders quarterly and has talks. Future investment will follow after talks with traders and others to make sure future plans will benefit the market.

“The market has a long history around redevelopment. There were going to be lots of changes but not now. I and other councillors have spoken to traders and heard different views. We have parked some ideas for the time being, which I think is sensible.

“There will be changes to the central area, cleaning and replacement of some tar and flag surfaces. That will allow the market to keep functioning without disruption. We have seen some markets shut down and never return in some neighbouring districts.”

Councillors heard the authority's jubilee fund could pay for further work.

Later, Lib-Dem Cllr Mary Robinson said she attended a recent stallholders' meeting and told colleagues "traders do not agree with each other".

And Conservative Cllr Mark Hindle said: “I’m pleased to hear the discussion between the opposition leader and council leader on this.

"It’s really good to see all this work around Clitheroe, including Castle Street and the market. These will help to make Clitheroe a really vibrant town.”