'We have to keep it going', says market boss

More than 6,000 people have signed a petition to try to save an East Yorkshire market threatened with closure.

Traders at Skirlington Market near Skipsea have been given notice to leave the site to make way for the expansion of a holiday park.

Keith Bemrose, who founded the market 40 years ago, said he would "do everything [he] can to keep it here".

He added that there had been an "amazing response" to the petition and hoped that public support would help prevent the closure.

Mr Bemrose, 82, said: "I didn't realise just what effect it had on not only the public but the traders.

"A lot of them are going to struggle, so we have to keep it going."

Lucie Hollis, assistant manager at Mondo Del Café, said if the market shut, her cafe would be "quite quiet".

"I don't think we'll get people from out of town coming in," she added.

Jayne Green, owner of Lily's Fish and Chips shop, who has signed the petition, said: "The whole area will suffer. I just hope someone takes it on and moves it not so far away."

Unity Holidays bought the land last year and has submitted plans to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to redevelop the site with a swimming pool and sun deck.

Dermot King, chief operating officer at the company, previously said the plans would lead to more employment and "support more local businesses".

Matt Davis, owner of cafe bar and live music venue The Green Owl, said he could see why Unity Holidays wanted to expand the holiday park.

"I assume they're doing it because they're going to generate more money from putting more caravans on there," he said.

Mr Davis added that the new plans would "bring us more of an income that way because there will be more people coming into the town rather than going into the market".

Mr Bemrose said 10,000 people from places including Wakefield, York and Harrogate and about 160 traders attended the market on Sunday.

"They've travelled far and wide to come and support Skirlington," he added.

"We've got hope at the moment that we can stop planning and, with the amount of public behind us, it's possible."

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