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08
Oct
Call for economic impact assessment on under-threat Ripon Market
The call to safeguard Ripon's ancient market came over loud and clear at last night's full city council meeting.
The bid to secure its future is supported by a petition signed by 2,865 people, who believe that the Thursday and Saturday markets are threatened by a proposal from North Yorkshire Council to make all traders supply and set up their own stalls.
At the moment, they can choose to pay a surcharge of £5.30 per stall on top of their pitch rentals to have the stalls provided and erected by council employees.
But the local authority has said that it can no longer afford to offer this service in Ripon and Knaresborough, because it is running at an annual deficit of up to £30,000.
Jon Chubb, the council's head of parks and grounds, who has responsibility for eight markets spread from Skipton to Scarborough, was present at last night's meeting, where petition organiser Councillor Barbara Brodigan (Liberal Democrat, Ripon Ure Bank and Spa) called on the authority to carry out an economic impact assessment before making any final decisions.
Cllr Brodigan, who is also a city councillor, said:
If North Yorkshire goes ahead with its proposal, it will have a massive impact on the city's economy, because many traders will stop coming here and that will affect those that remain, along with other businesses such as cafes and restaurants that rely on the market to bring visitors into the city centre each week.
Among the traders who will no longer come to Ripon if self-erect becomes mandatory is Brian Murphy, who said he would have to buy a separate van to transport the stalls - which is not a viable option.
Mr Murphy spoke at last night's meeting and said:
I'm the fourth generation of a family that has sold fresh fruit and vegetables on Ripon Market every week for 110 years and we have provided our customers with a good service, but we wouldn't be able to continue if the new system comes into force.
Brian Murphy
Heather Garbutt, who has shopped on the market for many years, said:
It's a priceless part of Ripon's history and tradition that is beneficial to other businesses in the city and we can't afford to lose it.
Mr Chubb, who pointed out that Ripon and Knaresborough are the only markets controlled by North Yorkshire Council that offer a supply and set up service, said:
No decison has been made and will continue with a robust consultation process before developing options and recommendations.
Our target date for making a decision is December 6.
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