TWO butchers and a fishmonger have already signed up to be a part of Worcester's new £555,000 market - as the city council insisted it will be a "big improvement".

Councillor Marc Bayliss, the city's deputy leader, says the new-look operation will be a big step forward for Worcester's reputation.

During a highly-charged debate at the Guildhall, he was forced to deny accusations it has been badly handled, with one Labour veteran calling the changes "an attack on hard-working people" and "unwelcome".

Traders have been spread across the city in various locations in recent weekend during the massive revamp of Angel Place, which is due to re-open on Wednesday, December 3.

The existing traders have been told they will have to go from five or six days business to just three, although new operator LSD promotions says it is under review.

There will be a special themed antiques day and an 'upmarket' day featuring an array of new stalls.

Labour Councillor Paul Denham said: "Both traders and the wider public have expressed their concerns in the Worcester News about imminent and unwelcome changes to the market.

"Traders face substantial potential loss of income due to the reduction from six days to three days per week during their busiest trading period before and after Christmas."

He said "who is responsible for this attack on hard working people" and claimed many sellers faced "a bleak winter ahead", adding that some traders had already bought Christmas stock before they were told of the changes.

Cllr Bayliss shrugged off the criticism, saying traders have been handed 50 per cent discounts off their rents until Easter, and had been offered stalls during all four days of the Christmas fayre.

"I am concerned about the traders, of course I am, but the whole aim of this much needed upgrade was to improve the market, that is what we are doing" he said.

"We will have thirty-plus stalls there thanks to the investment from this council, the county council and Crowngate.

"Two butchers have already signed up and a fishmongers, something this city has not had before - it will be a much better market."

LSD has indicated that after Easter, it is considering giving the existing traders a fourth day of business.

As your Worcester News revealed on Monday, the firm says preparations are going extremely well and there should be anywhere from 35 to 38 stalls on the new-look site.