MARKET traders claim they have been left in the cold over the future of their businesses.

Traders say they have not been told about any of the decisions about the future of Middlewich Market - despite it affecting their livelihoods.

Congleton Borough Council had decided to sell-off the management of its markets in Middlewich, Sandbach and Alsager to Shropshire-based firm Town and Country Markets.

But before staff at Town and Country Markets could get their feet under the desk, the decision was called in by members of the council's community select committee last week and will be scrutinised to see if it makes financial sense.

Cameron MacCready, who comes from Manchester to sell pet food at his Middlewich stall at Somerfield's car park every Tuesday, says Congleton Borough Council should try to advertise the market and make something of it before it passes on control to an outside body.

Cameron said: 'The trouble with the council is it comes out with these ideas without consulting the traders.

'And the problem with private contractors is what they want. They want to make a business of the market, but they are in it for themselves.'

Cameron, who has a large pitch for his stall, fears Town and Country Markets would make him pay for the extra space he currently uses.

He said: 'I need this big area but if a private contractor takes over with the running of this market then if I want the same sized area I would have to pay more. I don't mind paying more if it justifies the takings, but there aren't enough people coming to the market to do that.

'I look around and there are lots of houses in Middlewich and I wonder whether people just don't know about the market because it's not advertised.'

Town and Country Markets is considering moving the market into Wheelock Street to attract more passing trade, while visitors to the recent Christmas market in the Bull Ring prompted many shoppers to ask for a permanent Saturday fixture.

But Middlewich mayor Alison Roylance-White says the town needs to move slowly.

Cllr Roylance-White said: 'We had lots of requests to hold a market on Saturdays but I am not sure we are ready to manage such a number of events yet.

'The success of the Christmas Market also brings into question the siting of the current market and whether this would be a better venue as it grows. This will be discussed with the borough council in due course.'

Congleton Borough Council hopes that the £200,000 that would be invested by the private firm would provide a boost for the ailing market.