TRADERS in York’s Newgate Market say they have had positive talks with city leaders about a planned refurbishment.

Stallholders and City of York Council officials met on Wednesday night, after traders had raised concerns about the proposals and the level of consultation.

The traders, who had voiced fears about the potential negative effect for the refurbishment, said they were still waiting for the final plan to be released but were satisfied with their meeting with Gill Cooper, the council’s head of culture, tourism and city centre..

John Dyson, the president-elect of the National Market Traders Federation, who attended the meeting, said it went well for the traders.

Paul Anderson, member of the Newgate market’s traders committee said: “We have now opened communication with the council which is a positive thing and we want to make sure to maintain that relation.

“The positive outcome of the meeting now needs to come out in physical evidence.”

The final stage of the public consultation will remain on display in the foyer of the council’s West Offices HQ until Monday and in the window of 5 Silver Street until April 7 and online at york.gov.uk/newgatemarket

Further meetings will establish the final plan for the market’s refurbishment. Ideas suggested include creating a food court, new pop-up stalls and dual shop fronts in Shambles, so that shops could open on to the historic street and also on to Newgate Market behind.

Charlie Croft, council assistant director, said: “Wednesday’s very positive meeting was called as part of an ongoing arrangement to keep all traders up to date with the £1.5 million market refurbishment paid for by the council’s Economic Infrastructure Fund.”

He said all traders were urged to take part in this final phase of consultation and feedback would inform the draft of the final designs, which would then be shared and explained to traders.

He said: “This is part of a series of consultations to which the public and all traders have been involved. They began in October 2013 and included events at this year’s Residents’ Festival in January and continued throughout February and March with themed workshops among the activities.”