TRADERS at York’s Shambles Market claim their situation has become “ridiculous” since they moved into their new home - and have called on the council to act.

The outdoor market is open six days a week but stallholders say customers are not visiting their stalls and they want to be moved back to their old home in Parliament Street.

The site only opened for business in March following a £1.6million re-development but businesses are becoming increasingly fed up with the lack of customers passing through to peruse their goods and want to return to their former home.

Rachel Harrison, owner of Harrison's Fruit and Veg, said: "It's very rare we get passing trade. There's certainly no footfall and if anything it's quiet.

"We have been trading since 1947 as a family business but we have been here a year now and it's not getting busier.

"We used to get passing trade in Parliament Street but there's nothing passing here.

"It's very rare you get people coming to browse and I want to re-locate back into Parliament Street.

"You only come here for a purpose and not for anything else."

"It's rubbish here," explained Jerry Mullins, who has run his hat and gloves stall for 37 years.

"It wasn't great before we moved but now it's ridiculous."

However, Mr Mullins believes part of the problem is that market stall shopping is unappealing to younger generations and they are fighting a lost cause.

He added: "Nobody can make this better because people don't want markets anymore.

"Young people don't want to come to markets and they are only bothered about designer stuff."

Kevin Brill, 39, has worked on markets for 18 years and has a clothing stall in Shambles Market.

“It’s getting to the point where this is the worst we have ever seen but it keeps ticking over and pays me a wage,” he added.

“It’s hit and miss and there’s good and bad days.

“When there are events in Parliament Street it makes it worse for us because people would rather stay out there.”

Chris Price, City Centre and Markets Manager at Make It York, said: "We’re keen to listen to all views and opinions in respect to Shambles Market and look carefully at how we can work together to improve trade.

"Since taking over the management of the market earlier this year, we have held regular meetings open to all traders and we continue to encourage feedback, ideas and new initiatives.  We’re committed to working with traders to bring customers into Shambles Market."