SUPPORT is growing for a campaign to keep Redditch market under the control of the borough council.
A petition started by former market chairman Chris Sutton has reached more than 500 signatures and the aim is to present it to Councillor Greg Chance, under whose brief the popular town centre attraction falls.
It follows a council decision to look for an outside body to manage the market, which currently earns it around £25,000 per annum.
“Council control is the only way to go,” said Mr Sutton, “the council wants to see more speciality markets and if it came to it I’m sure the traders would be prepared to go down to four days a week, which could free up to three days for speciality ones.”
At the moment the market is managed by North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWedr), a shared service between Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough councils.
Now Redditch is looking to offer a five-year contract to an external provider – which could be a co-operative run by the market traders themselves – to create a revamped and thriving market.
However Mr Sutton said if that happened traders would almost certainly face an unaffordable rent increase coupled with a reduction in market days which would drive many out of business.
“These traders want to make a living and this would make them unemployed. The council should be looking to run the market for the people of Redditch,” said Mr Sutton.
Coun Chance said: “We welcome Mr Sutton’s petition because it shows just how much people care about Redditch market.
“These proposals are not about saving money but about getting a vibrant, thriving market with new investment and fresh ideas.
“We will wait and see what tenders come in but we would more than welcome a co-operative from the market traders.”
He added that the council, as holders of the market charter, would not allow an external operator to introduce major rent increases.
