Furious Rawson Market stallholders are taking legal advice over Bradford Council's failure to carry out a £6 million refurbishment scheme on the main hall.

The move comes as the Council discusses the redevelopment of the site with two major companies because it could hit funding problems.

The Telegraph and Argus revealed exclusively yesterday that the Council was in talks about the development of the site for shopping.

But Council leader Ian Greenwood said then that any plan would have to involve a satisfactory arrangement for market traders.

He said no decisions had been taken and he hoped any development would include a market.

Coun Greenwood said today it was a pity the traders were seeking to go through the legal system but they would be wasting their money.

But David Brook, of Lincoln's Florist, said a group of tenants was now taking legal advice about possible action against the Council over the long delays.

He said: "Bradford Council appears to be unable to achieve its promises and is apparently unwilling to keep us informed about what is happening.

"A number of us are in a very poor financial situation and the Council isn't coming up with any suggestions, although we have put forward proposals."

The stallholders were moved out of the main Rawson Market Hall into a £1.2m temporary market nearby to make way for the big refurbishment scheme.

But two years later, the main contract has not begun, despite the demolition of most of the main market by the Council. Any development by the private sector could push them out, both in terms of space and high rents, they say.

Mr Brook said they had already suggested to the Council that a scaled-down scheme should be carried out to enable them to return earlier or that the Council should look at paying the equivalent of the rates.

But Coun Greenwood said they had pledged both publicly to consult with tenants - and the consultation would happen.

He said the Council had looked at options previously put by the tenants.

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