Market Harborough residents fight to save indoor market
Residents in Leicestershire have opposed Harborough District Council's plans to move its headquarters into the town's indoor market building.
More than 6,000 people have signed a petition to save Market Harborough's indoor market from redevelopment.
The district council said one of its options was to relocate its offices in a bid to save money.
However, the authority said no decision had yet been made and it was committed to keeping a market in the town.
Market traders said the news of the proposals to move them elsewhere had come as a "shock".
John Cleaver, who runs a jewellery stall at the market and is vice chairman of the Market Traders Association, said many of the traders would not be able to move to an outdoor market because of the nature of their products.
Michael Rook, leader of Harborough District Council, said the council had been reviewing its assets in a bid to save money.
He said its current headquarters, on Adam And Eve Street, was too big and the building was in need of refurbishment.
"But, we've not ever suggested that we wouldn't have a market continuing in Market Harborough - it's a market town," he added.
"We want to make sure the business case is there for whatever decision we take."
Mr Rook said another option could be to rent out the extra office space in its existing council building.
The authority said it aimed to make its final decision in November.