TRADERS at the indoor market in Preston are looking forward to a new lease of life as the town's shopping centres expand.

Despite the state of neglect of the Market Hall, they believe the rising status of the town as one of the region's in-places to shop will bring more business for everyone.

Press officer Edward Starr who runs a haberdashery stall, said: "St George's will initially attract more people from outside the town and it's up to those traders in the Centre to maintain that.

"People always come to see something new and I think there will be spin-offs for us."

Despite last year's knock-back from the Government to an application for funds to develop the market, traders are optimistic for the future. They have just had a new disabled access installed for visitors who use the market car park and the council has put it on the priority list for capital investment.

Council leader Peter Rankin said: "The indoor market is a priority for refurbishment and redevelopment this year.

"We want to negotiate with traders to see if we can come up with a scheme but finance is a problem. We have not actually allocated finance."

But not all market stallholders share the enthusiasm of the indoor traders. Outside, morale is low and complaints have been aired that the new-look St George's will steal trade. President of Preston Outdoor Market Traders Association, Lawrence Bateson, said: "This has been the heart of Preston for 800 years and now what they are doing is taking the heart away: "Preston won't realise what it has lost until it goes."

He complained that the council treats the Victorian market place as an income, rather than an amenity, and added: "When it's full there are 156 stalls altogether, but it will never be full again." Coun Rankin said he would be happy to meet traders to discuss any problems.

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