Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
28
Jul 2020
Knaresborough and Ripon market traders call for public support against rent rise
A petition headed 'Save Your Market' is being launched in Knaresborough tomorrow.
Market traders in both Knaresborough and Ripon hope public support will force Harrogate Borough Council to cancel rent increases of more than 25% from Saturday which, they say, will put some of them out of business.
The petition, which will be available to sign at stalls at Knaresborough Market tomorrow and Ripon Market on Thursday, calls for 'urgent' public support to make the council think again about the increase. It says:
At a full council meeting earlier this month, Councillor Andrew Paraskos, the HBC cabinet member whose portfolio includes the markets across the Harrogate district, said:
In response to questions raised by Ripon Independent councillor Pauline McHardy, he said measures had been put in place to support and promote the markets - including the waiving of fees for those traders who were not allowed to attend for 11 weeks because of government restrictions and the holding of rental levels at the 2019-2020 rates from April until July.
Read more:
- Business leaders express 'dismay' at multi-million spending plans for Harrogate Convention Centre
- Emotional 'thankyou' for Saint Michael's Hospice
Stephen Teggin, pictured, president of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and a long-time supporter of the town's market - which is the longest continuously operating in England - described the council's handling of spending across the district as 'unfair'.
In response to news that the council plans a multi-million pounds package of spending on Harrogate Convention Centre, Mr Teggin told The Stray Ferret:
0