MARKET traders say they used to make more money in a day than they now do in a month.

Northwich Market is expected to be bulldozed as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s regeneration plans for Weaver Square.

It is expected to continue ‘in its present location’ for another two or three years – but with footfall at an all-time low, traders are fearing for the future.

“The days when I first started here were absolutely brilliant,” said Robert McLintock, who has been trading at the market for 25 years.

“I would only work Saturday, one day a week, and I made more money on that day than I get in a month now here. It has just gone downhill.”

Take a walk around the two adjoined market halls and you will hear the same stories – footfall is down, income is down, and the future is uncertain.

Neil Cheadle, who has been trading at Northwich Market for 30 years, said: “It’s a different way of shopping nowadays.

Northwich Guardian:

Neil Cheadle believes the internet has had an impact on the market's footfall

“Online has affected it – everyone used to come to the market for something cheap but they don’t do it now. It’s just a different trend.”

“At this time of year I’m alright because we do the logos on the school uniforms,” added Jean Hodkinson, who has worked at the markets in Northwich and Winsford over the past five decades.

“But you can’t get the footfall down here – there is nothing to fetch people down. They are taking all the shops away from the market."

Traders are unable to put their finger on one specific reason why they are now struggling.

Barons Quay has shifted shoppers’ attention further north, and the artisan market keeps them away from the old halls one Saturday a month.

Online retail has changed the way customers shop entirely, while the introduction of the gyratory and tougher restrictions on nearby car parks are also bemoaned in the halls.

David Cowley, who has been at the market for six years, said: “I came before they had done the one-way system and it was OK. I had two stalls selling furniture and it was enough.

“Since then I bought a business off a woman because she couldn’t afford to carry on, I bought more stalls here, and I’m taking less money than I did six years ago. It has got worse and worse.

“If I moved – and if it gets any worse I will be off – this market would be empty without me."

CWAC’s Weaver Square masterplan says that Northwich residents ‘valued’ market traders but felt ‘the market hall was dated and no longer fit for purpose’.

It suggests that pop-up markets could open on certain days in the new public square which will sit at the heart of the redevelopment, while traders new and old could rent temporary units or ‘contemporary, low-cost, container-style options’.

Jean said: “Where are they going to put us? I think that’s what most people here are worried about.

Northwich Guardian:

Jean Hodkinson, who has been trading in Northwich and Winsford for 50 years

“I can’t work off a market stall, because I’m in three lock-ups.”

“I can’t pack all this stuff at night and take it away,” David added.

With uncertainty on what the future holds for Northwich Market, traders are divided on its future.

Patricia Madani, whose husband has run the Saeed stall for more than 30 years, said: “I definitely think the town needs a market – maybe if they do this one up and the area around it.”

But Robert is less convinced.

Northwich Guardian:

Robert McLintock is unsure whether Northwich residents really want a market

He said: “To be honest I don’t think Northwich wants a market. It’s not the town it used to be.”