Cost savings shut markets in Piece Hall

Members of Calderdale Council's cabinet approved plans to end the markets that take place in the Grade I listed Georgian building on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The decision was taken after council officers said a decline in the number of traders has meant the authority is losing thousands of pounds operating the markets, which now attract only three regular stallholders on Thursdays, and a single regular trader on Saturdays.

Other proposals which were considered included continuing to subsidise the market or operating it alongside the Local Produce Market in Russell Street. However, councillors opted to close the markets altogether, in the hope of saving as much as 32,000 a year. The council's markets service needs to reduce costs by 100,000 in 2011-12.

While trading is due to close by the end of February, the Saturday markets are expected to be suspended with immediate effect. Relocation packages will be offered to traders.