Traders shut up their stalls for the last time at Blackburn’s old market yesterday.

It was packing up day for some but a closing down sale for others as the three-day market came to an end.

While some traders are moving to the ground floor of the Mall’s £66 million extension, others said the move was the death knell for their stalls.

Traders who had decided to make the move included Nav Ahmed at Glamorous Clothing.

He said: “It’s a bit smaller but I think it is all right.”

Another trader making the move, Mass Ahmed at Mass Jeans, said: “I think we have got a great new place, but it is a shame we have lost stalls which have been here for generations.

“If the council had handled it more sensitively, they could have kept them on board.”

The market’s oldest stall, butchers Frank Littlers and Sons, is relocating to Mellor after 150 years in the market.

The owner’s decision was proclaimed with a sign at the stall saying they had been ‘forced out’ due to a 160per cent rent rise.

Frank’s daughter, Debra Kininmonth, said: “We could do better than the poor deal they offered us, but it was still a hard decision.

"It was too expensive, and they wanted three years up front.”

Alan Saiet, from Green’s Fabrics, said he would be moving to the former Tommy Ball’s site at Eanam. He said: “The space offered was much smaller for more money.

“I like the new market, I like the idea, but it wasn’t right for me.”

Trader Mohammed Sarwar said his stall selling hosiery and nightwear had been part of the market since 1963.

He said: “We are closing because of the rent and the way we have been treated.

"The council have dragged everything out so many traders have already left.”

The new market opens on Wednesday with three-quarters of the 127 stalls let and around half expected to be filled on the first day.