An illegal market in Bradford has extended its opening hours in the run up to Eid, despite having been ordered to stop trading by Bradford Council more than a month ago.

Tradex Bazaar, at the former Shires Bathroom site in Beckside Road, Lidget Green , is now being taken to court by Bradford Council.

Julian Jackson, the Council’s assistant director of planning, said: “We have issued a stop notice and planning enforcement notice against the owners and operators of the unauthorised market at Shires Tradex on Beckside Road, Bradford. The stop notice required the owners and operators of the market to cease trading by no later than Monday, July 9, 2012.

“The Council has investigated alleged breaches of the stop notice and due to impending legal action it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

But Tradex manager, Khalid Saeed, said he had no plans to close the business down as he did not believe the Council notice issued applied to Tradex as he claimed the way it operated meant it was not a market.

Other Bradford traders have expressed frustration at the situation.

Habib Rehman, owner of the Dharkan Boutique, in White Abbey Road, and Saffee Ullah, of the Damak boutique in Westgate, said Tradex was taking away business from the city centre.

  • A fire at the Tradex premises on August 2 is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.