TRADERS at an indoor shopping centre, which was due to close today, (Friday, January 17) have been given a reprieve.

More than a dozen stalls at the building run by InShops on Middle Street in Consett were to shut up shop after they were given notice by the firm, which is going into liquidation.

The centre houses a newsagent, greengrocers, card shop, clothing store, watch and mobile phone repair stalls, as well as a café.

Business owners received letters last Saturday informing them they had six days to remove their stock and assets.

But talks between the owners of the building and the current lease holder are to be held next week which could offer traders the lifeline they need.

Helen Turner, from Chester-le-Street, who runs second hand furniture, toy and household goods store, said businesses are continuing to trade and hope to learn more after the meeting in Manchester on Tuesday.

She said: “It is frustrating though because we still don’t really know what is happening.”

The Northern Echo understands the building, which is owned by the London-based property company, Serenity, was leased in 1972 to Argyll Stores on a 99 year contract.

Robert Stone, of Fishman, Brand, Stone, the solicitors acting for Serenity, said subsequent businesses acquisitions meant supermarket giant Morrisons was now responsible for the lease.

KPMG, the liquidators, are expected to disclaim the existing lease when it takes over the affairs of InShops at lunchtime on Monday.

Mr Stone said: “We maintain, as freeholders, that Morrisons will remain, through its subsidiary, liable for the terms of that lease.”

David Morriss (CORRECT), head of estates for Morrisons, which opened a new store in the town, at the end of 2012, said the firm was looking into whether it was responsible, but did not want to see traders ejected from their business premises.

He said: “We, like the traders, have only found out that we could be liable for the lease here so we have got carry out proper investigations into that.”

Pat Glass, MP for North-West Durham, is urging the companies involved to find a solution that will safeguard the future of the traders and economy of Consett town centre.

She said: “It is not the traders fault that InShops nationally has gone into liquidation and I am hopeful that my office will be able to facilitate the businesses being able to continue trading and the people of Consett being able to shop in the town centre.”