Good news and bad for town market

It was revealed by DUP Alderman Carla Lockhart that a number of traders have left the market and the director of Environmental Services Lorraine Crawford promised to pursue the lapsed traders to see if council were meeting their needs.

Meanwhile council voted to allow stall holders an extra trading day over the summer months, starting this Friday, through until Friday, September 26. The situation will be reviewed at the October meeting of Environmental Services.

Council were presented with some facts by Kirsty Pinkerton about the market, which has now been operating every Thursday for eight months.

Out of the 32 trading days, only two have been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Currently there are 12 stall holders, including eight interested traders. There are also seven permanent vehicle traders.

The income from the market to date is £10,162 less the fee of £3,168 for set up and dismantling of the marquees.

Members were told town markets are not normally seen as a means of generating income, instead they are a means of increasing footfall in the town centres and hopefully increase the vibrancy of the locality.

Several councillors pointed out that drip trays were not being used underneath vehicles by traders resulting in stains to the plaza.