BOLTON'S Ashburner Street market is in line for a £170,000 revamp in a bid to attract more shoppers.

The cash would be spent on improving the look of the market, pictured above, including new signs, repairs to the floor and painting.

Work on the indoor market could start as early as January in a move traders believe is long overdue.

But its future is still not secure with Bolton Council saying the market could move subject to further discussions with traders.

The latest announcement by the council comes just days after the remaining 50 stallholders at Bolton Market Hall were told they will have to shut up shop by January 13, ahead of a £30 million revamp which will see a host of High Street names take their place.

Ashburner Street market, created in 1932, has been in decline for a number of years, traders say.

They claim business has slumped since Sainsbury's supermarket relocated to Crook Street, making parking more difficult and cutting down on passing trade.

And about half a dozen traders have left the market since March, leaving the centre of the market empty.

Bolton Council believes a revamp will help to halt the slump of a market once acknowledged as one of the best in the North-west.

Cllr John Byrne has approved the plans, which will take 10 weeks to complete, and trading is expected to continue while it takes place.

The council is also looking at how the market can be improved in the long-term, which could include a new entrance and new fabric canopies and a cafe linking the indoor and outdoor market.

Improvements have already taken place at the market, including a new seating area in the miscellaneous market and changes to the layout of the New Street car park, allowing improved coach parking and the introduction of a cardboard recycling facility.

Cllr Byrne said the scheme would be followed by a consultation with traders and shoppers to discuss further improvements or a possible move for the market to an alternative site.

He added that the council would not be rushed in to making a decision on changes to the market and plans for the future could depend on the outcome of a planned bus and rail interchange in Newport Street.

Vinod Talwar, who owns a clothes stall at the market, said: "If nothing gets done soon, I think this market will be closed. It used to be full, but now it's empty.

"People are just not spending money in the market. They should want to come here and it's about time the council invests in it."

But fellow trader Shelia Singh said was sceptical about the proposals. She said: "I will believe it when I see it. The council always says it will do things but so far we have not seen anything. There is supposed to be more advertising but that has not happened."

Cllr Byrne said: "Bolton has been a recognised market town since receiving a Royal Charter in 1251 and this latest set of improvements will ensure it continues to play a vibrant and viable role for many years to come.

"The plans laid out demonstrate that the council appreciates the vital economic role the market plays and is committed to ensuring that it can continue to compete in a modern town centre.

"Plans for a transport interchange and moving the market are up in the air at the moment and we are a long way off making any decisions but we will continue talking to traders and shoppers to make sure that we are delivering the service that people want.

"This money will help to address some short and medium-term issues which were identified when we carried out a survey."

The last facelift - costing £5 million - was carried out eight years ago at the busy market - which sells everything from clothes to fruit.

And last year, customers and traders were asked whether or not they wanted the market to be moved or redeveloped after plans to move the bus station to create a new transport interchange at Newport Street were mooted by the council.

About 500 customers were asked for their views on the market's location in Ashburner Street, where it has been for 70 years.

Traders said they did not want to move if the bus station remained.