Rotherham market traders rent rise on hold

Rent increases for market traders in Rotherham have been put on hold.

The council has agreed to defer any rise until next year after traders at Centenary Market warned they were struggling due to the recession.

The council said the market continued to attract shoppers but the retail environment was still tough and some traders were suffering hardship.

The town's indoor and outdoor markets provide stalls for more than 260 independent traders.

Market trader representative Mike Smithson said: "The council decision to defer any rent increases until 2011 will certainly be welcomed by all the traders at Rotherham Markets."