COUNCIL plans for the the redevelopment of the St Mary's and Tontine market arcades in St Helens town centre have left hundreds of market traders fearing for their livelihood.

A number of traders contacted the Star following last week's report of the authority's proposals. These include a new market hall extension and complete refurbishment; an additional outdoor market; and new linkways from existing car parks.

The council says the changes are all aimed at bringing the market into the new millennium, but angry traders in St Mary's Arcade say they were not even consulted for their opinions.

Tom Doherty, who runs Tommy's Shoes, told the Star: "The first I heard about the council's plans was when I saw a poster taped to a post in Church Square which had an artist's impression of what the new market would look like. When I read the report in last week's paper I was really angry because the council are obviously trying to make people think that we are happy about it, but we're not."

The traders allege their problem is what they claim to be a lack of alternative arrangements made by the council for them to carry on business. And Mr Doherty added: "I was told that for the next 12 months, while they are building, we would have to move our stores to a multi-storey car park. But that's no good to us, we don't run the sort of businesses that can just be packed up at the end of the day and taken home. We would end up losing most of our trade and our businesses."

Now 41 traders have taken out writs against the council and are demanding compensation for what they claim will be a considerable loss of earnings over the period the markets would close.

Graham Cross, chairman of the St Helens Market Committee, said:" We held a meeting over the weekend at which we were given legal advice, and as a result, 41 traders have decided to sue the council.

"However, it would be wrong to say that we are against having a new market to trade in. What we can't accept is the fact that the council have arranged no real alternative for us while the new market is being built.

"One of the traders here actually contacted the council to ask what she should do and she was told to stop trading for 12 months! What sort of solution is that?"

St Helens Council denied that they had introduced the scheme without the traders' prior knowledge, however, and a spokeswoman told the Star: "We have been in conference with the market traders on this development for almost a year now and they are fully aware of all the options open to them. Should the proposals be accepted, the traders can move into the first two floors of Chalon Way car park which will be modernised to accommodate them.

"I think it is important to bear in mind that the new, enhanced facilities would greatly improve the market area and would be a big attraction, both for shoppers and traders alike."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.