KIDDERMINSTER'S outdoor market traders have voiced concerns over their futures after learning the market will be handed over to private operators.

The market, currently being run by Wyre Forest District Council, has been criticised in recent months for looking shabby but there are hopes a private operator will turn it around and bring in much-needed investment.

The decision to make the transfer came at the council's miscellaneous functions meeting last week but it has been met with uncertainty by traders, who fear the change could impact upon business.

Market trader, Neil Harding, from Bromsgrove, said there could be positive aspects but his main concern was that rates might go up.

He explained: "It could mean having a two-day market, which would be good for our business and all the stalls would be uniform, so we won't have this mismatch that we have at the moment.

"However, I think the rates will more than likely go up if we have a private operator coming in, which could have an effect on some traders."

Two firms have already expressed an interest in taking over the operation of the outdoor market.

A Wyre Forest District council spokeswoman said the authority were in the middle of the tendering process and unable to say, at present, whether that would affect rates.

She added: "The deadline for the tender process is Monday, March 20.

"The decision has been made to appoint a new operator, to take advantage of the expertise offered by specialists who operate in other towns and to bring significant capital investment in market stalls, while making the street scene more attractive.

"It is anticipated that the new operator will be operating the market by the late spring," the spokeswoman added.