MARKET traders Ian and Julie Holgate who have a regular pitch for their slippers and outdoor wear stall in front of the former Yorkshire Bank building, in Skipton, were horrified this morning to see most of the pavement in front of their stall blocked off with hoarding.

The temporary structure is in readiness for work to start on the front of the old bank, including lowering the windows, before Oxfam Bookshop moves in.

The couple who have been trading in that spot for many years knew part of the pavement would be blocked, but when they got in touch with the market ambassador with Skipton Town Council to come and measure up they found the amount of room left for shoppers to walk past fell short of the legal 1.5 metre limit.

Ian Holgate said: "This is ridiculous. It's going to kill trade for us while it's there. There's hardly any room to get past. People won't stop. They'll just try to get past as quickly as possible. 

Julie added: "We've been told they won't be doing any work to make dust on market days which is something, especially for David Craig's cheese stall. We've moved our stall back a little bit and made a wider way in for people to come inside the stall, but we really think it will be difficult for people."

It is understood the company which put the hoarding up is to be contacted and asked to reduce the structure so it complies with UK regulations.

The old bank building's owner was granted planning permission last year to lower the windows and alter the doors to make it a more attractive retail proposition. In the interim it has been used as a storage facility for Oxfam bookshop as the charity's current premises has very little storage.

In late summer, early autumn the Oxfam bookshop which is currently located higher up the high street towards the church, will move into the premises permanently in late summer or early autumn.

The town council and Oxfam Bookshop have been asked for a comment.