Blyth market stallholders hit out over rise in rents
Nov 10 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
ANGRY stallholders hit out over big rent increases at a Northumberland market which reopened for business following a £3m revamp.
Representatives of traders at Blyth said they were ‘up in arms’ over the higher fees which they are now being charged for stall space following the 10-month facelift for the town’s market square.
The row overshadowed the resumption of trading at the market, which has been closed since January and which now boasts improved stalls, new surfacing, trees around its perimeter and a new piece of public art called the Hyperscope.
It was claimed rents have potentially more than doubled for some traders, while others say they have had to take a small stall in order to afford the increased charges.
Claims were also made that the market could fold if the rent rises force stallholders to leave following the busy pre-Christmas period.
Michael Nicholson, an executive board member of the National Market Traders’ Federation and secretary of its Blyth branch, said: “I am on the market today, it looks good and there are quite a lot of people here for a wet Friday. However, the question is whether the new market is sustainable.
“I have been talking to traders this morning and they are absolutely up in arms at the new rents. The charge per square metre has gone up from 69p to £2.44, and the stalls are smaller. We have tried to talk to the council for the past year about this but have got nowhere.”
Plant trader George Wardle, chairman of the Blyth branch, said: “I used to pay £32 a day but now, for the same stall space I would have to pay £90. I have halved the size of my stall but I am still paying £45 today.
“The market will go on to Christmas without too much difficulty but after that, when trade drops off, traders are going to drop off as well, and the market could very easily fail. I have been coming to Blyth Market for almost 40 years and I am extremely annoyed.”
The market square has been revamped as part of a wider, £60m project to regenerate Blyth town centre and attract more shoppers and visitors.
Coun Dave Stephens, leader of market operator Blyth Valley Council, said stallholders were not comparing like with like, because they now have a completely new market with three different stall sizes.
He said: “The stalls have electric points and are erected and taken down for the traders every market day, lots of money is being spent on promoting the market and the whole facility has been greatly improved.
“I can understand their concerns about rent increases at a time of recession, but there was not a recession when we started this project. We have got to make the market self-financing because the new unitary council which takes over in April will not subsidise it like Blyth Valley Council has for years.
“We are offering rent discounts to traders for longer-term bookings and I would like to see them make a fortune, because that would be good for Blyth and its shops.”
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