TRADERS have praised a council for scrapping the parking tickets handed out to them as they helped to run the first day of Bishop Auckland’s relaunched market.

Traffic wardens struck as the businesses set up for the first of a new weekly market in the town on Saturday, May 9.

The Durham County Council wardens ticketed four cars parked near the Stanley Jefferson pub, in Market Place, about 7am.

Some of the traders felt that the council’s actions were not helping to promote the market, which it is hoped will invigorate the town centre.

Malcolm Flinn, of Vape’ry, on Newgate Street, ran a stall and was ticketed.

He said: “It’s fantastic news that they have scrapped the tickets.

“Rules are good and they stop things from going daft but common sense needs to be applied. We want to work with the council and we hope the council will work with us.

“We were parked setting up and would only have been there about half an hour. The tickets were for £35 if they were paid within two weeks or else they went up to £70.

“We’re concerned as we are trying to start the market and it seems like the county council is not helping us.

“We’re not looking to park all day we just want to be there long enough to be able to unload. It was quite obvious what we were doing.

“The wardens must have got up early that morning. Everyone was disgusted.”

The South Durham Enterprise Agency, which helped set up the markets, has spoken to the county council about the issue.

Marzia Aloisio, business advisor at the agency, said: “We are working with the council to resolve this.

"We are not expecting the traders to pay these tickets.

“We are organising parking permits from the council.”

The markets are set to run each Saturday between 9am and 3pm until the end of August.

Dave Wafer, the council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “There are a number of parking bays within the market place where traders can park while loading and unloading as long as they display a permit.

“A new company has only recently taken over the running of the market and was not aware of this longstanding agreement.

“We have spoken to them and, as well as issuing new permits, have agreed to cancel the penalty charge notices issued last week.

“We are confident that this issue will not occur again and look forward to working with the market company in the future.”