Traders campaigning to get Bradford's Oastler Shopping Centre known as a "market" again say they have been inundated with supporters backing their cause.

More than 1,300 people have added their name to a petition which calls for the original name of John Street Market to come back into use.

Many stallholders believe shoppers are misled by the new title and given a false impression.

One trader Mick Egan said: "I have been approached by many Bradford folk who have grown up with the market and are disappointed with the present title, having made a special trip to sign the petition to support us.

"Bradford Council has still not taken any action to ascertain the feeling from the traders or public.

"They have recently indicated that the service charge may increase to raise more funds to meet the energy budget shortfall, which could mean an end to the venue as traders are struggling to exist at the moment.

"It will be lights out for us as well as the Alhambra before too long."

Stallholders have already conducted their own poll and say a majority of the 150 traders are for the name change and re-launch. The traders hope to hand the final petition over to the Council shortly.

The Council held a meeting to discuss the matter yesterday.

Malcolm Veigas, head of the Council's markets service, said: "There was a tenants' liaison meeting with tenants from the Oastler Shopping Centre at which several issues were discussed.

"It was not a specific meeting about changing the name of the shopping centre.

"I am led to believe that those tenants who did attend were more concerned with ongoing business issues than with discussing name changes to the venue."

The name was adopted four years ago following a £4.5 million facelift.

The winner of a Telegraph & Argus competition, Eleanor Higgins, named the complex after Richard Oastler, who campaigned for reforms in factory working practices.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk