REDDITCH’S outdoor market is to be run by a private company after Redditch borough council awarded a five year contract to EG Skett & Co of Stratford upon Avon.
The market, which currently earns the council more than £25,000 a year, had been the subject of a competitive tendering process after councillors wanted to freshen up what it offers.
However the decision has caused consternation among the traders, who ran a petition to stay with the local authority and who now fear the market, which currently operates five times a week, could be cut to three days and that, in the medium term, rents could rise.
“We’re very disappointed that we’re not staying with the council,” said traders’ chairman Chris Sutton.
“We’ve all received a letter but none of us really know what is happening until the council offers us a meeting.”
The market has been run for the borough through North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWedR) and they will continue to do so until February 15, 2015, when the new contract begins.
EG Skett & Co operate a number of retail markets and several farmers markets and feature demountable, gazebo type stalls which could be removed at the end of a market day.
Existing traders will be guaranteed a pitch at current fees for at least 12 months and any annual pitch price rise would have to be approved by NWedR.
COUNCILLOR Greg Chance (Lab, Central) whose portfolio covers the market said: “The process is nearly complete, and we’re looking forward to an exciting future for the market in 2016.”
