Neston market traders fear it will have to close after Sainsbury’s superstore moves into town

Dec 2 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Heswall News

TRADERS have warned Neston’s historic market is under threat as a superstore giant moves into town.

Since building work on the new 33,500 sq ft Sainsbury's, situated between High Street, Raby Road and Brook Street began four months ago, market traders’ takings have plummeted.

The £20m development project, which includes a 235-space decked car park, has meant The Country Market which has been running in the town every Friday morning since the 1960s, had to be relocated.

Part of it is now held in the basement of Neston Town Hall and these stalls are losing a massive amount of business as access to the basement is restricted due to the supermarket building work.

Pauline Wright, who has been selling home-baked cakes, savouries, jams and marmalades on a stall with other friends from the Women’s Institute for over 30 years, said: “We have just been told we are running the market into a loss and will have to cease trading.

“Last year we made quite a lot of money but since we moved, around four months ago, our sales have diminished.

“This is due to access and the fact that some of our old customers don’t even know we’re still here.