TWO-thirds of stalls in the new Blackburn Market have been allocated, it was announced at a crunch meeting for traders last night.

But bosses revealed so far only four traders have returned a signed lease agreement as anger grows over the delayed opening in the basement of the Mall.

Project managers were under fire from traders who were told that the original opening date of March 5 had been delayed because of a subcontractor going out of business before Christmas.

Councillor Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, apologised, but promised arrangements were now as certain as they could be for opening on May 28.

Andrew Bond, head of property for the council, said of 127 stalls, 84 had been provisionally allocated.

They include 46 out of 57 non-food stalls, all eight mini-shops on the market’s edge, six of 10 service food stalls, seven out of 10 cafe units and 17 of 42 island food stalls.

But traders were angry that leases which have to be signed before any shopfitting can be done, did not have a start date.

One said: “The lease doesn’t say May 28. How do we know to trust you with this new date?”