ULVERSTON’S tradition of street trading is in danger of dying and its treasured status as a historic market town is in jeopardy.

That’s the claim of local councillors who believe action is needed now to stop the rot, 829 years after the town was granted its market charter.

And the council could follow in the footsteps of Kirkby Lonsdale councillors who are in the process of taking over management of their markets from South Lakeland District Council.

Coun Judith Pickthall said: “We have all the leaflets saying we are an historic market town but I’m sure the reality at the moment is very different. Sometimes the Thursday markets are not bad at all but occasionally they are just ticking over.

“Saturday markets are dying - some of the stall holders are wondering why they even come, and probably just as worrying for the town is the fact the indoor market closes on a Wednesday.

“The bottom line is that a successful market benefits all traders in the town. We have all been there on a thriving Thursday and the buzz is fantastic - it’s like a mini-Dickensian festival but a number of traders have told me they are not getting the same footfall.”

Mrs Pickthall wants to create a market traders’ association to work alongside Ulverston Traders’ Association and find ways of encouraging more people to take up a stall.

She added: “SLDC has a promotional budget of £300 for markets. They have demonstrated they have no interest. We are a market town and a great deal of our prosperity depends on that.”

She said that taking over the market ownership “might very well be the single most important thing we can do for the future of this town.”

The district council is currently undergoing a restructure, and the new ‘social enterprises’ department will take control of markets in September.

Simon Rowley, assistant director of community services, which is currently in charge of markets, said: “The new department’s aim will be to make the most effective use of our resources. Hopefully the department will reinvigorate and bring the best out of the markets.

“I do know that trading conditions are very challenging for all markets in South Lakeland, and I think that is true of the whole country.”