We're facing ruin, say angry traders

Butchers and greengrocers, who moved out of the main Rawson Market building two years ago to a £1.2 million temporary market in Rawson Place, say they are no longer able to make living wages.

Six businesses have moved because they could not survive - and the remaining tenants are demanding a start by builders on the new £5.3 million building, which is being part funded by Europe. Demolition work ended on the main market at Christmas and traders expected contractors to move in at New Year.

Chairman of the Tenants Association John Parker said business had slumped since the move because the temporary market was too far away.

"Nobody is earning a living wage any more. We have tried to get news but nothing is coming back," he said.

Donald Pickup, a butcher at Rawson Market for 32 years, said: "It is heartbreaking when we have built up good businesses but people say it is just too far out."

He said heavy promotions were planned for Easter to help the market and loyal customers still supported them.

Mr Pickup said they had been in the temporary market for two years - the time they had expected it would take to build the new market.

"It's two years later and they haven't laid a brick. It has been a financial disaster for people."

Butcher David Lovell said: "It has been promise after promise and my business has gone down by three-quarters."

The Council's assistant director of exchequer and property, Philip Walker, said they had identified the lowest tender for the work and were consulting architects. He said there were no problems with the scheme.

"The Council has organised a number of events to promote the temporary market in liaison with tenants.

"It has been made rent free for the tenants and they only pay 25 per cent of the service charge. But there isn't much else the Council can do," he said.

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