AN 'inflammatory' letter could have damaged a fragile ceasefire over temperatures in the market.

Food hall traders were planning to withhold their rent until the borough council bought a new air conditioning system.

But at a meeting with the market manager, it was revealed that the blower system was directed at the roof and the extractor fans were removing their cooler air.

The blowers were then altered, and traders agreed to pay their rent while they waited to see if it made any difference.

But John Cross jnr, of John Cross and Son Butchers, was left reconsidering his position when he subsequently read a letter from the market manager that said anyone withholding their rent would be evicted.

"It was quite inflammatory given the situation," said Mr Cross, whose says his family have never missed a rent payment and have been in the market since 1860.

"It could have said we have made some head way, we are heading in the right direction. But that's just got everybody's backs up again.

"It's a hard time to trade at the moment because it's so competitive it's hard to make a living. But there's a general feeling we have been slapped in the face.

"We are talking about specifically withholding our rent because of that letter."

Stewart Brown, chief estates and valuation officer at the council, said: "The Council will always meet with and listen to the market traders.

"The Council does not acknowledge withholding licence fee as an appropriate form of official action and will always take a strong stand against any such approach.

"Therefore, it is standard practice to issue a notice to quit if a trader refuses to pay the licence fee as a form of 'unofficial protest'.

"All traders involved in this action paid their licence fee last week, and the council is pleased that we have found a solution satisfactory to all concerned."