STALLHOLDERS have been reassured that no major changes will be made when their market comes under new ownership next month.

The Fitzwilliam Estate, which will take over responsibility for Malton’s Saturday market on May 16, says it is not planning to make any sudden changes.

Instead, it says it favours gradual ‘evolutionary changes’, such as providing some new umbrella-style stalls and employing a new market manager.

Roddy Bushell of Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, said: “A change will inevitably bring some uncertainty.

“I want to reassure customers of the market and current traders that we expect to take over and run the market much as it is today, but with plans to evolve the market to be more attractive to both traders and shoppers.”

Gradual changes have already started to take place. Earlier this month the Estate researched different types of stall, demonstrating them to market traders.

The one preferred by most traders is an umbrella style, so the Estate has decided to buy some to replace the existing market stalls, which they say are outdated.

Mr Bushell said that the market’s current operator, Graham Banks, had done a lot to raise standards and bringing in new traders. He said the Estate also wanted to attract new traders where possible.

John Turnbull, who has been selling clothes on the market for the 40 years, said he was optimistic that the Fitzwilliam Estate would be able to improve the market’s fortunes.

He said that there was the potential for the market to see a boom in trade, because he saw it happen when the market was privatised in the 1980s.

He said: “The Estate has a fairly good idea of what needs to be done.

“It has a good woman on the job who is really interested in the market.

“The Estate stands a better chance than most of making the market really attractive to shoppers.”

Malton councillor Lindsay Burr said: “I really feel that the market should carry on and be an integral part of our town.

“My own opinion is that markets need to change to survive, and the public have changed their views on the old traditional markets.

“What attracts people now is farmers markets and continental markets.”

Coun Burr said that a market selling quality produce, and attracting more people into the town, could also benefit shop owners in Malton, creating a ‘win-win situation’.

She said: “I hope Fitzwilliam will look into these areas and change the market, rather than being backward thinking and carrying on doing the same thing.”