Shipley's indoor market hall could stay put after all if the plan is judged viable.

Stallholders have welcomed the news but say they are angry about being left in limbo for three months while the idea is looked at.

Bradford Council's lease agreement with the building's owner, London and Associated plc, expires in September 2003 and last year traders called for action amid fears over the market's future and their livelihoods.

Councillors said they supported shutting the hall, but suggested a 'dual site' facility featuring 16 units next to the existing outdoor stalls in Market Square.

But a report to Wednesday's overview and scrutiny committee says the reaction to that scheme had been negative.

It says entering into discussions with the landlords over a new lease and a small scale refurbishment of the building now appeared to be the "best way forward''.

The report recommends councillors call for the preparation of a financial feasibility study on the continued occupation of the market hall, which opened in 1965, with a report to be brought back to the committee in three months.

Gill Donoghue, secretary of the Shipley Indoor Branch of the National Market Traders Federation, said: "I think most people would rather stay where we are - the shuttered units wouldn't be as secure, they'd take away valuable car parking spaces, we'd lose the atmosphere of a proper indoor market hall and the move would damage business in the lower part of town."

Bradford Council has organised a market tenants meeting at Shipley Town Hall tonight to hear views on the latest report.