DEVASTATED stall-holders are fearing for their futures after being given notice to quit their historic business premises.

Stockton Borough Council has told the retailers they must leave The Shambles indoor market, in the High Street, by April next year.

The authority is hoping to make the grade-II listed building available for only fresh produce.

Retailers said they should have been consulted over the move, and said it had obviously been planned for sometime.

Richard Bainbridge, whose family has had Bainbridge Carpets in the market for 24 years, said he was seeking legal advice.

Elizabeth Butler, 53, who has owned Top Stitch and Haberdashery Corner for 14 years, said she was in tears when told she must leave.

"I am totally devastated. I really don't know where I will go. I thought I was going to be here until I retired.

"It's horrible that they can just turf you out."

Fresh produce stallholders in the nearby Castlegate Centre would not comment yesterday, as to whether they were planning to take up the vacant Shambles units next year.

The Castlegate Centre stalls were given notice to quit some months ago, when owner Redleaf VI Fund announced it wanted to develop the mall, so the Shambles units would be well-placed and timed to house them.

Last night, the council said it would pay compensation to stall-holders, depending on their length of tenancy.

Councillor Bob Cook, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said the council would try to help businesses to keep them in the town centre.

He said markets services manager Sue Burgess met with businesses yesterday, to begin the process of looking at options.

Coun Cook said the council was simply trying to maximise the visitor and shopping experience by using its assets to best advantage.

"After careful consideration, and taking note of feedback from comprehensive consultation on its action plan for the regeneration of Stockton Town Centre, the council has taken the decision to update and revitalise its historic Shambles Market hall to return it to its original intended use, as a fresh food market," he said.

"This will involve removing the central office block and doubling the width of the shop units, making them suitable once again for the preparation and sale of fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and flowers."