A FOURTH move for Nelson Market in four months should prove to be a success, town hall bosses and traders hope.

Traders were originally relocated from their traditional home in Leeds Road, outside Pendle Rise shopping centre, so work could be undertaken to create a new ‘high street’ road link.

The first home was on a disabled car park, at the top of Manchester Road, before it was moved briefly to an adjacent car park, following an outcry.

Another home was found for it on the Broadway car park, weeks later, but the change failed to find favour with traders.

Now the market has been relocated again to Market Street and Booth Street, while the £2.16million improvement scheme progresses.

Nicholas Emery, of the Nelson Town Centre Partnership, said: “We would prefer it if the market was in Market Street.

“But the council appears to be frightened of scratching the new pavements there. But what is worse, pristine pavements in a ghost town or a few scratches?”

He told the Telegraph feedback about the Broadway site had not been positive from traders and there were concerns regarding customers being pulled away from the centre of the town.

Council town centres officers Hannah Latty said: “Despite being near the busy bus and rail interchange, the move to Broadway was generally not a success.

“We all agree a successful and viable Friday market is an asset to the town and we need it to thrive, bringing additional footfall to the town centre.

“Following consultation, we have decided to attempt locating the market on Booth Street and Market Street, around the town hall.

“We will take additional steps to manage the process carefully and will particularly emphasise the need for care in looking after the new surface of Market Street.

“Clearly there is no magic solution that will make everyone happy, but it is important we are responsive to results, including those from residents. Many people have made it clear that they think this move is a good idea.”

Coun Nadeem Younis, Nelson area committee chairman, added: “Market Street is always busy with people and is the ideal place for stallholders to pick up passing trade.”