OUTDOOR stallholders say takings were slashed as work started on a £160,000 project to restore Leek's historic Market Place.

Market traders said customers thought the popular Wednesday market was closed yesterday because of hoardings erected at the entrance.

They are also angry that the work is being carried out at the same time as roads are being dug up in the town centre.

The 14-week scheme to restore the cobbled market and damaged pavements is a joint scheme between Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Staffordshire County Council.

Jeff Wood, from Cheddleton, runs a sock stall and as a market representative was involved in talks over the work.

He said: "We understand that the work has to go on and the pavements do need repairing, but the main access from the town has been blocked off. Our customers should not have to struggle to get to us.

"They should have either started it as planned on Monday or delayed until after market day.

"The market is struggling as it is. We need all the help we can get."

Tristan Stoker, from Lightwood, runs a stall selling nets and curtains and was moved to the periphery of the market.

He said: "It has blocked off the pavement and I am not getting any footfall. I understand that the lads have to get on with the work."

Fruit and vegetable stall holder Ben Pollard, from Leicester, said: "I never thought I would end up working on a building site. It is bang out of order.

"It took me an hour and a half to get here. Takings are down, but we still have to pay rent.

"Why did they have to start work on market day?"

Clothes stall trader Balwant Singh, from Manchester, has been trading in Leek for 40 years and had never known the market so quiet.

He said: "People have told me they thought the market was shut, because it is all boarded up. It has put people off.

"Trade has been very badly affected. It is the quietest I have ever known it.

"It is our living and we have to pay travel expenses and rent. I think it could have been better thought out.

"I hope they will try and get it finished as quickly as possible and put some more men on to complete the work."

Council leader Sybil Ralphs said work on the 1,000-year-old Market Place was essential and she apologised for the disruption work had caused.

She said: "Sadly, recent years have seen a deterioration caused to some extent by motorists parking on the pavement and necessitating emergency repairs.

"The restoration scheme will not only enhance the appearance of Market Place, but also minimise the likelihood of future damage.

"These are sensitive proposals that will respect the character of a conservation area and which were overwhelmingly supported in the consultation we carried out last summer.

"Some inconvenience is inevitable. However, the end results will be worth it for traders, shoppers and visitors alike."

Work was originally scheduled to have got underway last September, but was postponed until now after retailers and traders expressed concern that the scheme might harm trade in the run-up to Christmas.

The project will proceed in stages, starting at the southern end of Market Place, near Thornton's, and then progressing anti-clockwise around the perimeter.

The paved area around the Butter Cross will be the last to be tackled.

The market is expected to continue throughout the works and some of the displaced stallholders will be moved to Derby Street.