TRADERS at another market run by the same 'first class' company set to take over Worcester's market say business has enjoyed a big boost.

LSD Promotions have now been appointed to manage the city's markets, including Angel Place in Worcester when it reopens after the £555,000 refurbishment, led by Worcester City Council but have success managing others, including in Kidderminster and Stratford.

However, some Worcester traders have expressed anger and concern that the general market will only be open three days a week from Wednesday, December 3 when some were hoping for five days of trading. To sweeten the pill they will pay half-rent until March 31 next year.

'Up-market Sundays' and 'antique' days on Fridays are scheduled to start over Easter. The antiques will be on sale in Angel Place from Good Friday (April 3) and Upmarket Sundays will start in the High Street on Easter Sunday (April 5). Bank Holiday rambling markets will be held every Bank Holiday at the Riverside, starting on Easter Monday (April 6).

As reported in the Worcester News yesterday one trader, Paul Gardner, known as the 'Pet Man' who is trading from a temporary base in Bank Street outside the CrownGate shopping centre during the work, feels he has been 'stabbed in the back' by the council over the move. He fears a three day market will mean is stall and others in the city are no longer viable. He used to trade five days a week in Angel Place, before the revamp work started in September and another disappointed trader, Duncan Squires, used to trade seven days a week from his flower stall, Angel Flowers.

An open meeting has been organised at Worcester Guildhall on Monday, November 10 between 2pm and 6pm to show off the new equipment and members of the LSD team will be on hand to answer questions from traders. The stalls themselves will be 'Continental-style canopies', 'pop-up marquee stalls' either 3m by 2m or 3m by 3m. They will have side and back sheets, separate counters (if needed) and low energy lighting.

The company has also cited the success of Stratford-Upon-Avon's markets after Geraud UK Ltd and LSD Promotions collaborated on the tender for that market.

Ted Perry, area manager for LSD Promotions, said: "Stratford-upon-Avon is a model of what can be achieved when all parties share the same vision."

David Webb, head of enterprise housing and revenues at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said:

“Since October 2012 the town’s market offer has gone from strength to strength, and both councils recognise that the significant increase in visitor numbers is of positive benefit to the retail trade. Surveys have shown that vast numbers of customers on the Sunday market intended visiting other retail and leisure attractions in the town. The market offer in both Rother Street and Waterside consistently attracts those greater visitor numbers, which are seen as so important to the local economy."

The markets received a NABMA award for ‘Best Private Market of the Year’ in January.

One of the Stratford traders, Lynn Harvey, said: "LSD have now been looking after us at Stratford for two years, and their service has been first class and consistent. LSD can’t do enough for us”.

Another trader, Tony Peddle who sells watches and batteries and has traded at Stratford for over 20 years, said: “ I cannot think of one negative thing to say about the new operation, the equipment and staff service are first class, and the response is great too. We are seeing a lot more customers than previously and my trade is so much better."

The Worcester general market will be open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm from December 3.