SIX-day trading is set to be introduced at Accrington Market Hall – despite last ditch opposition.

It means the end of the traditional Wednesday closing in the town.

Labour councillors had requested that the Tory-run Hyndburn Council call an extraordinary meeting so the issue could be voted upon by all members.

However, the council said that it was a cabinet issue.

New leases are expected to stipulate traders agree to a three-month trial of Wednesday openings and ensure stalls are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm following the £2.5m investment into the building.

Market board chairman and Chamber of Trade vice president Ian Smith said the policy was unpopular with the ‘majority of traders’.

He said: “There is only so much trade to be had.

“They say it is only a trial period, but how they will judge the success or failure of it we don’t know.

Wednesday closing is ingrained in the town’s psyche. I don’t see that changing.”

One trader, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s crackers.

The takings for the entire market hall on a Wednesday won’t even pay for the electric bill.”

However, butcher Stephen Hayman said: “I think it’s a good way to compete with Tesco. We won’t know till we try.

“I do feel for the ‘one man band’ outfits, but for my business, we have the staff to do it.”

Labour councillor Ken Moss said: “We were hoping to contest it at full council, but there won’t be a meeting until December.

“Coun Clare Pritchard called for an extraordinary meeting, so we could vote, but she was turned down.

Traders don’t want this. We are effectively taking away their one day off.”

Leader of the council Peter Britcliffe said opposition members could raise points at Thursday’s cabinet to be considered by Coun Marlene Haworth who is responsible for markets.

He said: “The request from the opposition group was simply for cabinet to con-sider their points – we wouldn’t call an extrao-rdinary meeting for that.

“It is a cabinet decision and Coun Haworth will take all their points into consideration.”