A BARROW businessman is calling on traders to stay open longer into the day amid fears closed shops give the wrong impression to market shoppers.

Neil McDougall, of The Cumbrian Coffee Co, has urged market stall holders to remain open until 5pm.

“I’m a new trader in the market, I’ve been here six weeks," he said.

“The trouble is, when I look across, there are two stalls that are empty, then come 3pm if you look a little further down, most stalls have closed.

"Why can’t they stay open til 5pm?

“As far as I’m concerned, I pay rent until 5pm so that’s what time I’ll stay until.

“It would improve trade if stalls stayed open."

He said shoppers should be encouraged to browse the market, given parking is free from 3pm.

“We need to make use of the free carpark - make use of what you’ve got," he said.

“The market is open through Christmas which I’ll be working through.

“I haven’t missed a day, but next week I’ll be closed to be at the Dickensian Fair. I’ve served them for 20 years.”

Wendy Gunning, a stall holder and member of the Barrow Market Committee, said: “I do understand stalls shutting early in some circumstances, like when childcare is involved.

“But we have to support each other, it’s the whole point of being in the market.”