TRADERS in Derby’s Market Hall are calling for a review of the city’s bus routes after a dramatic fall in business since the opening of the new bus station exactly a year ago.

Some stallholders say sales have fallen by up to a half now that buses no longer stop off near the Market Hall.

Before the new bus station opened last year, passengers were able to get off the bus at central locations such as Derwent Street and Corporation Street but now they go directly to the Morledge station.

Traders say this has resulted in a loss of passing trade and are calling for the old drop-off points to be reinstated.

Butcher John Inger has worked in the historic market for 35 years. He said: “I love the Market Hall, but if it wasn’t for our loyal customers I’d probably have had to close by now.

“The footfall has reduced significantly since the new bus station opened.

“Many of our customers are elderly and it really is quite far for them to walk.”

Andrew Poynton, whose family newsagent business has been in the Market Hall since 1866, said: “Buses dropping off passengers near the Council House was so important to this part of Derby.

“Lots of people enjoy coming to the Market Hall but it seems that the changes are making it harder for them to visit.”

Last year, butcher Steve Lewin collected more than 2,000 signatures from customers calling for buses to stop closer to the market.

Mr Lewin, of Chaddesden, said: “Arriva buses alone carry around 7,000 people a day into Derby on their Nottingham Road services. That’s a potential 7,000 customers who used to get off at the Council House and would come to the Market Hall as it was so close for them.

“I really do think that if the buses started dropping off people where they used to, the situation would improve. Many are elderly and struggle to walk far so are discouraged from coming here now.”

Another trader, Rob Tomlinson, who runs the Supapet stall, saw a dramatic drop in sales when the bus station opened but is optimistic about the future.

“In the week before the buses changed, our sales were up on the previous year”, he said.

He and other traders are planning to hold a series of events to encourage more people into the Market Hall, such as Easter celebrations, exhibitions and workshops.

Meanwhile, Councillor Chris Poulter, city council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said he had sympathy for the traders.

He said: “I fully understand their concerns. Ultimately, where buses stop is a commercial decision of the bus companies. Whilst some services stop at the bus station, others terminate in Exchange Street, near to the Market Hall.

“I would urge traders and members of the public who are worried about this to contact the bus companies.”

Bus company Arriva said it had no plans to change its routes.

Keith Myatt, for Arriva Midlands, said: “Prior to the opening of the bus station, we carried out a passenger survey of our Nottingham Road services.

“Two-thirds of respondents said they were quite happy for the buses to adopt a new route to the station.

“We regularly monitor all of our services but presently we have no plans to alter these particular bus routes”.