Bradford's market crisis took a fresh twist today, as it emerged that Morrisons may redevelop the John Street premises.

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal today the supermarket chain is proposing redeveloping the block which includes its existing store and John Street Market.

It comes at a time when speculation is rife that a private company may take over the main Rawson Market site across the road for retail redevelopment.

The Council has already confirmed that two major companies were also interested in developing the historic Rawson Market site, but declined to name them.

It is understood that any future scheme could include both John Street and Rawson markets.

Today a Morrisons spokesman said: "We are obviously always looking at any opportunity to improve our stores but we can't confirm we have any proposals for John Street."

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "We have no firm proposals at the moment. We have been in discussions with a number of local developers. As soon as there are, we will have discussions with the traders."

Today treasurer of John Street Market Traders Association Anthony Ackroyd said it was vital to keep the traditional market at rents which traders could afford.

But he said investment in John Street market would be welcome.

"We would want full details on proposals as soon as possible. We have not been told anything officially but there have been strong rumours about this for a while."

Chairman of Bradford Retail Action Group Jeff Frankel said: "It is absolutely imperative that no tenant in or around the market should lose their livelihoods as some already have over the non-development of the Rawson Market site."

He said new development would be welcome to breathe life into the top end of the city.

The new twist comes as some Rawson market traders, as well as a separate group of shopkeepers in nearby James Street, consider legal action against Bradford Council.

They claim their business has slumped because of the long delays over the redevelopment of the site.

The John Street tenants say they have also been hit by lack of passing trade and want rent concessions. Rawson stallholders were moved to a temporary market nearby almost three years ago, expecting to be back in the new market last year.

T&A Opinion

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.