NINE traders have ditched a market in a row over rising prices and a change of location, leaving veteran stallholders worried about the future.

Joshua Morter, who has run the Broomfield Poultry stall with his brother Paul for almost a decade, claimed Wickford market has been “empty” on Saturday mornings since it moved from the High Street to Woodlands Road.

The move, after Wickford Town Council took over the market in June, has proved controversial and Joshua claims nine long-standing traders have since quit.

He blames the move, alongside an increase in costs and the opening time of the market moving from 7am to 8am as the prime reasons.The flowers from the brothers' stallThe flowers from the brothers' stall (Image: Joshua Morter) Mr Morter said: “It is really quite sad to see them move away, some of these people I have known for seven to ten years, it is like losing a family member knowing them for that long and because they have to relocate, it is devastating both physically and emotionally to the market.

“There has been a big drop off and we have seen it drop due to council disagreements.

“The fruit and veg stall is gone, I think this is mainly to do with lower footfall as when the market moved, the public thought it was gone altogether and with that loss there has been less incentive for people to come up.

“People can be walking through the town, unsure of where the market is.”

Joshua added the price of running a stall has increased from £10 a day to £20 a day, but some traders “only make £30 a day”.

Quiet - Wickford MarketQuiet - Wickford Market (Image: Joshua Morter)

He compared the prices to Pitsea market, where traders have to pay £40 a day but “could make hundreds” because of the added footfall.

He added: “At the end of the day, these are businesses, and they need to know they have consistent money, I operate the stall with my brother in law Paul, he has been telling me what he is earning and he has said he has lost a lot.

“He is down 45 per cent.”

The pair pay £32 a week for their stall and is hopeful that the “right mindset” would improve the current situation and encourage traders to build the market back.

Wickford Town Coucnil has been contacted for comment.