MARKET traders in Nelson are calling for more investment from the council and better marketing and security measures.

Stallholders have set up a committee called Nelson United Traders’ Society (NUTS) and have sent Pendle Council a list of their complaints including the market hall interior marketing and security.

They also claim some stalls have not paid rent for around 18 months, since the Pendle Rise shopping centre went into receivership.

Christine Edwards, who runs a market stall, said: “It’s not the stall owners fault but it does seem unfair that the stalls on the perimeter don’t pay rent because they were owned by Pendle Rise. It should be the same for everybody and it shouldn’t take over a year to sort out.”

Another market trader who wanted to remain anonymous said: “We just feel like we’ve been forgotten.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who has written to council chief executive Stephen Barnes, said: “Significant investment has been made in Nelson over the past three years with the re-opening of the road through the centre and the Portas Pilot money.

“I am very keen to see what more can be done to help boost the market and attract more shoppers to use it.”

Dean Langton, the council’s head of central services, said: “We do not know how long the traders who occupy the stalls belonging to Pendle Rise haven’t been paying rent, that is a matter for the owners.

“However, we have now gained control of these units and intend to start charging rents accordingly.”