A SURVEY on the future of Pickering’s ancient weekly Monday market has resulted in a big thumbs-down to plans to switch it to the Ropery car park.

The town council was told that 85 per cent of the residents who responded want to see it stay in the Market Place, a decision which the Mayor, Cllr Joan Lovejoy, said was “a surprise.”

The move to change the location of the market - which dates back several centuries - was triggered by growing complaints of congestion between pedestrians and traffic, local businesses and stall holders.

Of the 101 residents who responded to the survey, only 19 opted for moving the market to the Ropery with 11 out of 41 businesses supporting the idea.

Market traders themselves were unanimous in their opposition to the move.

A report by town clerk Andrew Husband said : “Although the support for the market traders to continue to be located in the Market Place was overwhelming, a few commentators, including businesses, did think the market could be improved though the emphasis was on the orientation of the stalls or the use of both sides of the road, or to have stalls sited in the road itself.”

Calls were also made for better stalls to enhance the market’s image.

Two further surveys are planned for summer visitors.