PLANS for a rise in stallholder fees at an outdoor market have been ditched in a bid to boost its fortunes.

Charges for stallholders were due to go up by three per cent, but the increase has been scrapped for traders at Ripon's Thursday market.

Announcing the freeze on charges, Alan Skidmore, cabinet member for resources at Harrogate Borough Council, said they were also looking at the possibility of variable charges for winter and summer stallholders.

There had been calls for winter pitches to be cheaper than those in summer to encourage a bigger take-up.

Coun Skidmore said he realised the importance of the market, not only to Ripon, but also to those from the surrounding countryside who made weekly trips to the stalls, combining it with other shopping.