A major part of Bradford’s Christmas programme has been cancelled already.

The German Market in Centenary Square was packed up yesterday – a fortnight earlier than planned.

What started out as a 40-stall event was supposed to last for a month, but some traders left last week and other traders shut earlier in the evening due to a lack of trade.

At the weekend the remaining traders returned to Germany, which left organisers having to take down the chalet-style shops yesterday.

Charly Barber, whose company CB Productions, put on the event, said last week that he had signed a contract with Bradford Council to hire Centenary Square until December 21, but could not force traders to stay if they were not making any money.

He had called for the people of Bradford to support the market and said that the bad weather had put some people off.

But the lack of variety and absence of any traditional German gifts at the market had already attracted criticism. One shopper said she was extremely disappointed at the lack of crafts and wooden toys.

And others said many of the items were too expensive.

Mr Barber had said he hoped to sign up some traders selling the more traditional goods as the weeks went on.

The majority of stalls sold food and drinks – some German – but others sold pizza, burgers and sweets. A small number sold gifts, such as candles and photograph frames.

Mary Frame, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, warned that a month-long market such as this on the edge of the main shopping area would need to be more attractive to bring in shoppers.

She said: “Perhaps the Council should insist on more control over the content next time around, although it sounds like these organisers won’t want to come back to Bradford again.

“A month was probably too long for this kind of thing here. Bradford has shot itself in the foot again.”

The Council confirmed that Mr Barber would have to honour the original contract and pay rent on the square until December 21.

Tim Hirst, the Council’s assistant director of commercial and support services, said: “We are very disappointed that things haven’t worked out for them.

“As well as the shortage of customers, the traders did not receive any favours from the horrendous weather during the period they were operating.

“Due to the contract under which the space in Centenary Square was rented, Bradford Council will not lose any money from the market’s premature closure.”

Despite repeated attempts, the T&A was unable to contact Mr Barber yesterday.