Family to walk away from Penkridge market after 30 years as the rent is put up by bosses

Graham and Moira Slade, who run the main hardware stall SK Supplies Ltd in the heart of the market, first set up the business as an outdoor stall in 1980.

Since then the couple from Dunston Heath have built up the business and now run the biggest unit in the centre of the Pinfold Lane site.

But as the pair's 10-year lease runs out this year, market management offered them a new three-year lease raising the annual rent from £11,960 to £18,000 – a move the Slades say would make the business unviable. Bosses say the increase would bring SK Supplies in line with rates being paid by other traders.

Mrs Slade, aged 56, said: "We're hurt about being treated this way – we feel betrayed.

"We don't know what the reason is for the increase, but it's completely unrealistic in this economic climate when most landlords are having to reduce rents to bring people in.

"We've got a reputation on the market and we bring traders in – I'm not sure that's been taken into consideration."

The Slades' daughters Stephanie and Katrina have been attending the market with their parents since they were just six weeks old. Katrina, 24, of Armstrong Avenue, Stafford, said: "I feel like it's a part of my life gone. That market is something I've always known, it was a part of my childhood. The customers have watched Steph and I grow up."

The Slade family was also involved in the running of the market up until 2011, as Mr Slade's brother Terry was market manager for 19 years. His other brother Gary also ran the pet food stall at the market for more than five years. Mr and Mrs Slade are now only open on Saturdays, as they ceased trading on Wednesdays last week. Their final day on the market will be August 26 – Bank Holiday Monday.

They will also be closing down their online business from which they sold hardware. Mr Slade, 53, has now taken on a new job at the Argos depot near junction 13 of the M6 as a driver, while Mrs Slade is working as a operating department practitioner for Nuffield Hospitals. Market manager Matt Williams said: "SK Supplies have been given only very slight rises in rent over the past 10 years. The rent has now gone up in line with other traders on the market comparatively.

"They're a draw to the market, obviously we don't want them to leave – but we have yet to be informed of their departure officially. If they do leave we will be seeking to fill the gap as quickly as possible."