Traders in the city’s Box Market under the Earl Street canopy say they feel ‘invaded’ by the temporary move-in of the outdoor markets.
In a collective message sent to Preston City Council the traders – who have permanent trading spots from shipping containers – say the space where they operate from has now become ‘extremely congested’ and their trade is being hit.
Outdoor market traders were relocated to under the Earl Street and Orchard Street canopies from the Lancaster Road end due to what the city council says were health and safety concerns due to the nearby Amounderness House works – linked to the ‘volume of vehicle movements’.
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But traders were left fuming when it was announced a temporary ice rink would be put in place on the same spot between late November and early January. The council claimed the volume of vehicle movements were less for the ice rink so health and safety concerns were not an issue.
After a disastrous start in the new temporary locations – with dramatically reduced footfall, takings along with soaked and windswept stalls the city council agreed to a rent waiver for the outdoor market traders and is also now actively considering relocating them back to the Lancaster Road site when the ice rink ends.
Stephen Moore, who runs the Market Bottle Shop, has written to the markets management on behalf of fellow traders ‘having allowed a fortnight to observe the bedding in’ of the stallholders who have moved onto the area in front of his and other box market stalls.
Mr Moore writes in his letter, seen by Blog Preston: “The market is cramped and over crowded. Allowing rent free access till the removal of the ice rink will no doubt add to this. We expressed concerns at the meeting about how this would be managed.. unfortunately I’ve seen no evidence of it being managed. It is extremely congested with stalls locked together.
“Access between stalls and around tables is on occasion non existent. By day the one access route from top to bottom has narrowed. There can be no way this was the layout (which we were never shown despite requests) We believe this will get worse as the weather deteriorates and the stall holders move as far in from the perimeter as possible. We feel invaded.”
He goes on to detail how they feel they can no longer effectively advertise their businesses by being unable to put out signs and have ‘compromised sight lines’ due to high clothing rails being put out.
Mr Moore also said: “The atmosphere on the market is toxic. This isn’t good for anyone’s business. We appreciate how difficult it is for those who have been moved, however they are damaging our business with the mood. Its putting people off even visiting with the negative press. We don’t believe that will be solved even with the latest concessions. In January if they are not returned to the original market they will go again. There is a temporary arrangement, we are long term tenants with contracts for up to six years, where are our protections and mitigation for damage to our trade?”
Mr Moore said in the weeks leading up to Christmas he and fellow Box Market occupants would be aiming to open on Sundays but were concerned about the impact the Sunday market would have on their trading.
His letter on behalf of Pep Talk, Karen’s Collectables, Ranger Mike, Preston Records and Frank’s Beds, calls on the city council to compensate them for the ‘inconvenience and disruption’ they are facing.
Disruptive fencing
Fellow trader, Frank Cowell who runs nearby Frank’s Beds, says he has been left baffled by the city council’s ‘windbreak’ fencing.
He said: “It just turned up and at first was running directly infront of my stall and blocking people getting out of the disabled parking in Market Street.
“We’ve had to shift some of it as a lady was trying to get out of the car on Friday morning and then you’re walking back out into the road rather than onto the pavement.
“Apparently it’s going to have some wind proofing added to it but I can’t see it making a blind bit of difference. Plus it’s a trip hazard.”
Outdoor traders aiming for ‘positive step’
Last week the city’s outdoor market traders, who trade from tables under the covered markets, said they hoped for a more positive outlook after meeting directly with the city council leader.
Kathryn Butler, who trades from the market on Tuesdays and Thursdays, told Blog Preston: “We have to move forward, I won’t for one be going ice skating when they put that on there and I don’t think it’s been properly though through about how all this is going to work while the works take place.
“I hope though we can find a solution to make sure everybody’s in a bit of a happier place.”
What the city council say
A Town Hall spokesperson confirmed they had received the letter from the Box Market traders and were considering what they had to say.
Cabinet member for resources and deputy leader of the Labour-run city council, councillor Martyn Rawlinson, said: “The relocation of market traders was necessary for the redevelopment, by Preston City Council, of Amounderness House which will see a £9m investment in the city centre.
“The relocation of the Outdoor Market stalls has now taken place, and we can ensure that traders continue to stand at Preston Markets, which is our utmost priority.
“Last week, we commenced the installation of temporary measures to shield traders from inclement weather whilst a more permanent plan developed. Officers met with traders to determine the best way possible to weatherproof the area whilst also allowing access to stalls. A temporary plan has been agreed with traders and waterproof sheeting will be installed to the fence as soon as possible. We will continue to support the traders in their new temporary location with the objective of ensuring disruption is kept to a minimum.”
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