TRADERS at historic Paddy's Market in Glasgow will soon be told they have to move out.

TRADERS at historic Paddy's Market in Glasgow will soon be told they have to move out.

In March, the Evening Times revealed the rundown market, which has become crime ridden, is to be closed and the area transformed.

The arches in Shipbank Lane where Paddy's operates belong to Network Rail which gets £130,000 a year in rent from traders.

But the organisation has now agreed it will lease the area to the city council - for £100,000 for the next five years.

On Friday, councillors are expected to approve the takeover Paddy's provided all the existing traders have moved out.

The move is a major step forward in the campaign to end the market which has been described as a crime-ridden midden'.

Steve Inch, the council's executive director of development and regeneration, said: "It is anticipated the council can positively raise the profile of the area over the next five years."

He said Paddy's could have a number of different uses in the future including a new street market under the control of the council's arms length company City Markets.

There could also be an arts project to link in with similar schemes at the Briggait and King Street.

Mr Inch added: "Network Rail has agreed to a reduction in rent to allow the council to take over the arches on a vacant possession basis and control the type of tenant and use that is permitted in the arches area."

In 2005/06 there were 314 drug possession cases in the market area, 268 breaches of the peace, 29 robberies, 96 thefts, 89 assaults, 46 cases of police assault and resisting arrest and one attempted murder.

Last year the council spent £80,000 cleaning the area and £30,000 on work done by its trading standards officers.

Strathclyde Police incurred costs of £95,000, HM Customs and Excise £42,000 and the Federation Against Copyright Theft £30,000.

Anderston/City councillor Gordon Matheson, who described the market as a crime-ridden midden' welcomed the council decision to take over the lease of Paddy's.

He said: "It is high-time to move on. The council's officers have done a wonderful job and I warmly welcome the outcome of their negotiations, as will the large majority of my constituents, and others from further afield.

"This plan represents good value for the city's taxpayers, and provides a clear way forward which will regenerate this area to the benefit of local people and Glasgow as a whole."

It is understood existing traders will be given information on which agencies and services to approach if they want to move to alternative premises.

That will mean legitimate traders may be able to continue making a living elsewhere.

Network Rail presently has 12 tenants in Paddy's Market with a couple of units lying empty.

The company's standard procedure when terminating a lease is to give six months notice so it could be Spring next year before the area is cleared.

A spokesman said: "Network Rail remains committed to helping to facilitate the long-term regeneration of the area surrounding the market and negotiations with the council regarding the lease are at an advanced stage.

"It would not be appropriate for us to discuss these negotiations or their implications for existing tenants at this time."

Stall holders accept change needed

SOME of the traders at Paddy's insist they want to work with the council to make the market better.

Brian Daly, whose family has worked there for three generations, said: "Paddy's is not just a market. It is a community of 80 traders who rely on it not just for their livelihoods but for social support and camaraderie.

"Often brash with the quick Glaswegian repartee, it's always a welcoming place.

"Paddy's accepts there has to be change. We, the people at Paddy's, want change for the better as our business and lives here have been badly affected by the negative elements in the neighbourhood.

"We share the council's vision to make Paddy's a better and safer place in a modern, multi-cultural, city where citizens and businesses thrive and visitors are always welcomed.

"Should Glasgow City Council succeed in obtaining the head lease from Network Rail, we look forward to working with them to achieve this vision by retaining all that's good and uniquely Glaswegian about Paddy's."

A petition to save Paddy's has gathered 500 signatures.