Frosty reception to Blyth Market closures

Jan 17 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

STALLS put up in a £3m market revamp could be closed because of frost – as well as wind. Traders already angered by shut downs during gusty weather last night spoke of their anger at the latest stage of the row.

They have claimed the modern new stalls are too flimsy and not robust enough to withstand a North East winter. They have described them as ‘four legged tents’.

Blyth Valley Council had already admitted the market would be cancelled if Met Office forecasts predict wind speeds of more than 25mph the following day. And it acted on those forecasts yesterday by cancelling the day’s trading.

Now it has also admitted that the new stalls will not be put up if the forecast is for a severe frost on Friday and Saturday market days.

This follows complaints from some traders that their goods have been damaged by water dripping from the stalls when overnight frost on the canopies is melted by the morning sun.

Since Blyth Market was re-opened in November following its £3m revamp, it has been cancelled by the council on three occasions because of predicted strong winds.

Now chief executive Geoff Paul has told traders’ representatives that officials will refer to Met Office forecasts for both high winds and severe frost when deciding whether the market should be cancelled.

Yesterday, Michael Nicholson, secretary of the Blyth branch of the Market Traders’ Federation, said: “I was a market trader for 35 years and have never heard of stalls not being put up because of frost. The situation at Blyth is getting totally out of control.

“The council goes on about making this a fantastic facility, but how can it be when it just doesn’t work properly. The council has bought these new stalls and doesn’t want to back down on the issue, but now it is saying the market will be cancelled if it is too windy or too cold.

“It is causing mayhem for the traders not knowing whether the council is going to put up the stalls, or whether they will have to bring their own.”

Mr Paul admits the new market is having ‘teething problems’, but says the council is sticking with the new stalls as they complement the investment made and will eventually provide a ‘fantastic environment’ for stallholders and customers.

Stalls provider, City B Marquees, recently visited the market to inspect erection and dismantling procedures and carry out some repair and strengthening work. They will return within two months to review progress.

A council spokeswoman said: “We are working with the providers and are still learning about the stalls.

“We will certainly be taking into consideration the Met Office reports on weather conditions before erecting the stalls the night before a market.”