Fears over Shropshire market trade after 800 years

Plans to privatise a Shropshire market after 800 years could sound a death knell for the weekly event inside two years, angry traders claimed today.

Shropshire Council has announced Stourbridge-based LSD Promotions has been appointed as manager of Market Drayton's street market and indoor market.

But Arthur Bloor, chairman of the town's Market Traders' Committee, said it was a 'diabolical' decision.

He said: "I would say 75 per cent of traders would go because of this change. Two years and the market will be gone. The council promised us would be given first option to take it on. Why should we give council profit to private enterprises? It's diabolical."

The Wednesday market has been in public hands for nearly 800 years. The council said LSD would take over on May 3. Nobody from LSD was available for comment.