A father and son accused of running an illegal market in Bradford will fight their case at the Crown Court .

Khalid Saeed and Mohammed Saeed, who run Tradex Bazaar, deny operating an unauthorised business at the former Shires Bathroom site in Beckside Road, Lidget Green .

Yesterday both men pleaded not guilty at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court to two charges of contravening a Bradford Council stop notice.

Khalid Saeed, who gave the court his business address, and his 55-year-old father, of Stainbeck Lane, Leeds, could each be fined up to £40,000 if they are convicted of both charges.

They are accused of contravening a stop notice between July 14 and 17 this year and, again, between July 21 and 24 this year.

Richard Winter, for the Council, told the court it was its case that the market had been running without permission since last summer.

Describing it as “an illegal retail activity” he said the stop notice ordered it to cease trading by no later than July 9.

Mr Winter told the court: “The market continues to trade even as we speak.”

He alleged it was open for business on the two weekends immediately following the notice.

Mr Winter said father and son did not believe they were in breach of the order.

He said the matter was “entirely suitable” for trial at the magistrates court.

Both defendants elected to go to Bradford Crown Court to present their case to a judge and jury.

The legal proceedings were adjourned until October 10 when magistrates will decide if there is a case to answer. If so, the matter will be committed to the Crown Court where a trial date will be fixed.

Both defendants were granted unconditional bail.

After the stop notice was issued, Khalid Saeed said he had no plans to close the business down. It was not an indoor market as it was open only to its members and not the wider public, he said.

Meanwhile, police investigations are continuing into a fire at the Tradex premises on August 2 that is being treated as arson. Khalid Saeed told the Telegraph & Argus at the time that he believed the bazaar was targeted in a bid to put him out of business.