A private company may be invited to take over Shipley's loss-making market hall.

The possibility of hiving off the town centre market will be considered by Bradford Council's corporate scrutiny committee next week. The Council's Customer Services Director, Wallace Sampson, will tell members other options could include a costly refurbishment of the 1960s building, closing the market or even relocating it.

But today Shipley East Conservative ward councillor John Carroll said: "Closure is definitely a non-starter. It is open six days a week, shoppers use it and the traders depend on it for their livelihood."

Scrutiny committee members will also consider a petition from the Shipley Indoor Market branch of the National Markets Tenants Federation.

It claims there has been a lack of commitment to the tenants by the market management team.

The market has 41 stalls, but nine are empty and officers say the 1960s building needs refurbishment, including a heating system.

The committee will be told by Mr Sampson that the owners of the building, London & Associated Properties, granted a 42-year lease to the Council which expires in two years time.

Terms of the lease mean the Council is liable to pay towards repairs and improvements to the building, including its clock tower. He is recommending the committee give the go-ahead for officers to look at the options. They would also be asked to prepare a detailed analysis on the future of the market for the committee.

David Burke, owner of the sweet stall and chairman of the National Market Traders Federation for Shipley Indoor Market, claimed the market had suffered through a complete lack of planning and foresight.

He said: "We're looking at a complete refurbishment of the premises or perhaps a move to an alternative site in Shipley centre. Only three or four years ago, the market was making about £30,000 profit, but there's been no investment.

He added: "People who want to retire haven't been able to sell the business because of the uncertainty over the lease."