Preston’s market stallholders on the city’s outdoor market are calling for a waiver in rents.
It comes after a stormy meeting between the traders and Town Hall bosses on Monday evening.
Trading under the covered market, for decades in many cases, the traders were warned earlier this year they would be relocated due to the upcoming works at Amounderness House which are due to take place until Spring 2027.
Read more: Latest on the plans for Amounderness House
But the announcement of the current space used by the traders to become a temporary ice rink in the run up to Christmas has seen tempers flare between them and their council landlords.
Michael Stott, who runs the Toys N More stall, said on behalf of the outdoor market traders: “As expected we heard what the builders and the events company had to say, plus the director from the council too. When we got into the question and answer session it got a lot more enlightening.
“We have challenged the council on the timeline for discussions, and the reports produced regarding safety in the area.
“We are calling on the council to give us rent free stalls until at least until the ice rink has departed.”
Blog Preston understand the city council’s director responsible for the markets has committed to providing further safety reports and to consider the rent waiver request.
The city council has previously outlined how the volume of vehicle movements for the market was a major factor in the relocation to the Earl Street canopy. The number of vehicle movements associated with the ice rink and associated stalls is said to be much lower.
It’s understood traders are due to start relocating from the week beginning Monday 20 October with the ice rink due to begin operating from mid-November.
A statement from the city council confirmed the Outdoor Market is now moving to two locations instead of just one.
A one-day closure is taking place on Monday (20 October) while the tables are moved with trading resuming on Tuesday.
The temporary market location is confirmed as being near the Wallace and Gromit bench at the Orchard Street end of the market and the Earl Street (Fish Market/Box Market) canopy – which is the location originally announced by the council in March.
A spokesperson for Preston City Council said they would not address specific points made during the meeting but said: “Preston City Council along with representatives from Eric Wright Construction and DNK Event Services met with the Market Traders on Monday to discuss the relocation of the Outdoor Market, to provide an update on the Christmas ice rink, and the start of construction works at the adjacent Grade II listed Amounderness House. Actions have been taken away from the meeting and traders will be contacted in the first instance.”
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