"RIDICULOUS" comments about the town's ailing market show a Redditch councillor has "not done his homework", a market trader has claimed.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Hicks told the Advertiser last week that Redditch Market, in Royal Square, was completely overlooked since its relocation from Market Place.

But Chris Sutton, who is also chairman of the town's Market Traders' Federation, said the move to Market Place in 2001 was only ever a temporary position while department store Debenhams was being developed in Royal Square.

He said: "To stay in Market Place was never an option - the area around Church Green has since been developed - and we were always going to return to Royal Square."

He added: "Moving the market isn't as easy as Mr Hicks thinks. Much of the town's land is under private ownership.

"And we traders have spent a lot of money converting our stalls to suit the location - what would the kiosk traders do if we moved?"

But Mr Sutton agreed the market had thrived in its central position and was now suffering a "decline" in profits, despite Redditch Council's efforts to advertise it.

He said: "Our "dead-end" position is off-putting to shoppers - a market is far more successful if shoppers pass through it on their way to their destination."

"But it's up to market traders themselves to make their trading area as colourful and attractive as they can - and negativity won't help anyone."