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29
Jul
Fears over future of Ripon and Knaresborough markets amid council changes
Fears for the future of Ripon and Knaresborough markets have been expressed after North Yorkshire Council announce changes to the operation of the markets.
The council announced that the two historic markets are set to become ‘self-set,’ meaning traders will bring and set up their own stalls each week.
Currently traders at Ripon and Knaresborough markets have the option of a stall being supplied and erected by the authority for a surcharge.
Traders were informed of the changes by an email from the council. The email read:
This operation is currently run at a significant subsidy which unfortunately is not sustainable.
Further immediate investment is required over and above our current costs to continue safe operations of stall set up.
Therefore, the council is proposing to harmonise our operating model to cease setting up market stalls for traders at Knaresborough and Ripon markets, bringing operations in line with how our other five markets run.
The changes are set to be implemented from September 1.
However, concerns have been raised by traders and groups in both Ripon and Knaresborough over how the move will effect the markets.
Knaresborough Market.
Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce executive member Peter Lacey said:
The chamber is active in seeking to address the issue and are disappointed that North Yorkshire Council seem to have already made a decision for self-erect, therefore threatening the viability of the market for some traders.
In Knaresborough a meeting is set to take place this Thursday to discuss the impact of the council’s decision.
The meeting has been organised by Stephen Teggin. Mr Teggin also plans to create an independent survey to ask traders how it will affect them and how they can progress from this.
The surveys will be handed out at the next market day and collected back in on the same day (Wednesday 31 – Knaresborough and Thursday 1 – Ripon).
Mr Teggin said:
It is not acceptable, this is one of the oldest markets and they can’t just whitewash it for the sake of finance.
I expect it will reduce the market by half. It brings in independent traders and if this is lost the town will suffer beyond repair. We have lost services but to be losing our heritage is just a step too far.
The market is the jewel in the crown of Knaresborough and the Council just don’t value that.
He added that the aim of the survey is to “achieve a clearer view of how it will affect businesses and how we can work forward".
Knaresborough market on a busy day
Similarly in Ripon residents and businesses have raised concerns about the proposed changes.
Ripon City Councillor Pauline McHardy said she is yet to speak to the individual traders but added that there is a general feeling of uncertainty.
She said:
We had a similar situation with Harrogate Borough Council a few years ago and many traders said they would stop going if [the self-set system] was put in place. Many would have to buy new vehicles to fit a stall and all of their stock in it.
We are going into unknown territory and will see the market reduce if this happens.
The rent for traders is already high in Ripon and some traders have taken to selling stock off the floor and just paying for the pitch. They are just trying to make a living, and this is why markets die out.
We have got to keep the market alive, and we must look after traders and not penalise them.
Any comments or feedback is to be submitted to North Yorkshire Council via emailing parksandgroundscommercial@northyorks.gov.uk. Any correspondence is to be submitted by August 21.
The council added:
We understand that the proposals are a significant change and want to continue to be fair and supportive to the traders and their businesses. We are due to maintain current set up until the end of the consultation and propose the changes come into practice from the beginning of September.
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