MARKET traders, who refused to allow their premises to be modernised, may have to shut or move their businesses as their leases expire.

In 1997, Chesterfield Properties, the owner of the Castlegate Shopping Centre, in the heart of Stockton, offered market traders the chance to have a modern hall as part of a multi-million pound revamp.

The market traders were offered space at the back of the new hall, but they claimed it would downgrade their businesses, and when Chesterfield Properties refused to buy their leases, they continued to trade in the old hall.

Now, the leases have begun to expire and traders may be forced to move out if the owners decide not to renew them, so the modernisation can be finished.

Butcher Henry Meynell Ltd, one of the founder market traders in the Spencer Market Hall, will be the first to leave.

The business will open a new shop elsewhere in the centre on Tuesday April 17, leaving the first of the units in the market hall empty.

Castlegate Centre manager John Clift said: "The resistance to the landlords' original proposal to build a new market hall was a surprise and not what was expected.

"With so many shopping developments sprouting up around us, we need to offer modern facilities to compete on a level playing field.

"The market hall still looks basically as it did in 1973 when Stockton's butchers first relocated from The Shambles in the High Street.

"We are pleased that Meynell's has chosen to remain within Castlegate and are sure that regular Stockton shoppers will feel the same way.

"We are still in discussions with other traders over relocation."

Although Meynell's, run by the third generation Les Meynell, is happy with the move, other traders face an uncertain future.

One said: "I am concerned. If I can't afford to relocate then I will have to close.

"The market makes Stockton different from other towns and it would be terrible if it had to close."

It is hoped the completion of the centre's modernisation, with a new market hall area, will enable it to compete with the new Wellington Square shopping complex, which is due to open in the town later in the year.