Traders set out their stall to secure rent freeze

A council chief resisted pressure to increase fees by 17 per cent to break even, instead choosing to show faith in stallholders through the recession.

Arthur Moody, chairman of the Middlesbrough branch of the National Market Traders Association, said North Ormesby market was the life and soul of the community.

If the market fails so will the shops on Kings Road. Its the market that keeps the shops viable, he said.

Mr Moody explained that he had asked Middlesbrough Council if the Saturday market could be marketed as a car boot sale but until now, officers would not agree to it.

"We are in a recession and we have to tighten our belts but if we can call it a car boot sale I think we will generate a lot of sales.

"I would like to see the market continue, I have been trading there 45 years man and boy.

"Some 300 to 350 people depend on it for their livelihoods. Peg the rents at the present levels through the recession and see where we go from there."

Following the meeting Mr Moody said he was delighted that his request to halt the fees had been agreed.

The number of traders attending the Tuesday market has dwindled to below 60 with just a dozen regulars attending on a Saturday.

At the moment, Middlesbrough Council charges £17 for the most popular standard pitches, £24 for catering pitches and £38 for larger pitches.

A report produced for the Barry Coppinger, the Executive Member for Community Protection on Friday, said the budgeted rental income for 2008/09 was £134,000 but it had resulted in a shortfall.

Mr Coppinger decided not to increase the fees in line with the request from traders, which would result in an estimated loss of £17,000.

He said: "At this point in time we need to show faith with the traders and support them. The fees will be reviewed again in a year's time."

He added: "North Ormesby market is an important part of Middlesbrough's history and it needs the support of local people and beyond."