A ROW has erupted between traders in Morecambe over plans to use part of the town centre as an open air market. Shopkeepers are outraged over plans to turn Queen Street into a two-day market which they say will bring unregulated trade into the area while they are burdened with mounting overheads. But others have billed the market, which will only be temporary at first, as a plus for Morecambe and hope Queen Street will be transformed into another antiques haven like Camden Square or Pettycoat Lane in London.

Mr Geoffrey Yates of Sea Haven Antiques, on Nelson Street, said: "At the moment we're already grimly hanging on to our businesses with our fingertips. Many have simply shut up shop for good. You see boarded up shops all over Morecambe.

Mr Yates also voiced concern that the plans would bring Traffic along Queen Street, Pedder Street and Nelson Street to a standstill.

He added: "Traffic means trade. Today we live in a car culture and anything that alienates motorists hits trade, the voucher scheme in Lancaster has cleared the town centre quicker than a bomb scare.

Chairman of the Queen Street Business Association Joe Peel, owner of Totty's Jewellers said: "If the traders who are against this idea are quite happy as they are then they 're very lucky people. Poulton Square market has moved and we've got to find something to replace it and attract people to this end of town."

Councillors will discuss the plans for the market during the next few weeks.

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