Two thirds of businesses at Gravesend Borough Market will not relocate when it closes for a £1.8 million refurbishment.

Seven stallholders signed up to move to the St George’s Centre next month after Gravesham council promised to help traders while the upgrade is carried out.

The project was hailed as a much-needed boost to draw shoppers back to the indoor market when the government announced Lottery funding in January.

But the fanfare soon died down as traders learned they would have to reapply for pitches in the new market, which is due to open next summer.

Space was made available for 18 stalls at the St George’s Centre, but the majority of traders confirmed they are not moving to the temporary market.

Reasons for the snub include increased rent, earlier opening hours and unhappiness at where the market is placed with one describing it as a “dingy corner” of the precinct.

It means some stallholders will either look elsewhere for more affordable rent, run their businesses from home or possibly cease trading altogether.

Debbie Shelton, who sells home fragrances and body jewellery at All That Sparkles, says her weekly rent would have jumped from £117.50 to £144 had she moved.

She said: “I’m not going to the St George’s because of the location plus the increased rent.

“We would have no problems if they put us somewhere else – in fact we would welcome it with open arms. I don’t want to move, but I’m being given no choice.”

While John Clarke, who runs The Collectors Lot, says it would have been “unfeasible” for him to relocate because his weekly rent would have risen from £65 to £100

He said: “I feel as though we have been stitched up. The council want us to go and pay rent to the St George’s Centre so they have nothing to do with us.”

Rani Atwal, who runs a fashion stall, said: “The main issue for me is the footfall. They are placing us in a dark and dingy corner where no one comes by.

“I’m looking for shops at the moment but I haven’t been given much of a choice. If I can’t find anywhere, they will have to chuck me out.”

Former Gravesham council leader John Burden admitted the take-up at St George’s Centre was “disappointing”.

He said: “Every effort has been made to facilitate the traders. All of them apart from one was given the opportunity to move to the St George’s Centre.

“We think the trading offer is a good and valid one and we have promised to help with publicity and promotion to make sure people are aware.

"The fact only a few have taken us up is disappointing, but it won’t prevent them from being considered when the market reopens.”